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AI Scribe Cuts ER Doctor Wait Times
22 Nov
Summary
- Sunnybrook ER uses AI app to reduce doctor note-taking.
- Pilot program aims to decrease patient length of stay.
- Donations fund extra overnight doctor in pilot study.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto is implementing an AI-powered app, DAX Copilot, in its emergency department to streamline physician note-taking. This technology listens to doctor-patient conversations, organizes the information, and reduces the administrative burden on medical staff, enabling them to dedicate more time to patient assessment and decision-making.
The pilot program aims to shorten the median wait time, which currently stands at over eight hours. By freeing up physicians from extensive manual documentation, the goal is to decrease the overall length of patient stays. Early analysis suggests the app could save an average of seven minutes per patient encounter.
Additionally, Sunnybrook is exploring supplementary solutions, including utilizing funds from private donors. This has enabled a temporary pilot to add an extra physician to the overnight shift, a measure not feasible for many hospitals under current funding models. These combined efforts show promise in improving emergency care delivery.
