AI Agents for every healthcare function

As the healthcare industry faces ongoing challenges such as workforce shortages and increasing administrative burden, many organizations will seek to maximize bandwidth, hire, or outsource. But it’s not about more staff or more hours from the existing staff; it’s about more productivity. AI and automation represent a golden opportunity to transform how work gets done – and are proven entities for increasing staff productivity by 10x’ing every function.

Driven by insights from healthcare leaders across prominent systems, there is a unified vision for transforming operational processes and administrative work to foster efficiency, reduce operational costs, boost productivity, enhance provider engagement, and, ultimately, improve patient care.

Healthcare leaders from Presbyterian Healthcare Services, the Medical University of South Carolina, and one of the largest non-profit health systems in the country participated in a panel at Noteworthy 2024, Notable’s executive summit, to share how AI and automation are proven entities for increasing staff productivity, 10x’ing every function.

1. Redefine roles and responsibilities

One of the emerging themes in the discussion was the transition of roles within healthcare organizations. As institutions adopt automation technologies, the workforce must adapt to new functions that leverage these innovations. This shift emphasizes “practicing at the top of their license,” where providers and staff are encouraged to embrace their core skills instead of getting bogged down by repetitive administrative tasks.

A recent JAMA Network Open study surveyed 10,513 family physicians about burnout. The research revealed that for every eight hours allocated for patient appointments, primary care physicians dedicate over seven hours to EHR-related tasks.

Brad Cook, SVP and Chief Operating Officer at Presbyterian Healthcare Services,  acknowledged that automation allows not just for cost efficiencies but also for better care delivery and provider satisfaction. 

There's a clear call to redefine job functions, which can lead to more profound job satisfaction and a better work environment. By leveraging AI to handle routine administrative processes, healthcare professionals can spend more time in meaningful interactions with their patients, enhancing both the quality of care and the patient experience. 

2. Supercharge every administrative role with AI Agents

There is a tremendous opportunity for AI Agents for every administrative role. For example, Notable’s powerful AI Agents can:

• Deliver concierge-level patient care without the manual work
• Schedule appointments 24/7 without phone calls
• Accelerate prior authorizations, reduce denials, and extend staff capacity 
• Identify and close more care gaps faster – without staff intervention
• Reduce manual coding and improve quality and risk adjustment accuracy
• Empower patients to schedule and cancel appointments, make payments, and request refills 24/7

3. Prepare your current workforce for your future workforce

As we move towards a future that is increasingly reliant on AI and automation, the workforce will necessarily evolve alongside it. 

However, the uncertainty of change can bring disorganization, resistance, and chaos that can stall or prevent the implementation of new technologies. To overcome this, engaging staff at all levels is paramount. 

One key to successful transformation is involving staff members who understand the day-to-day realities of healthcare operations. One leader on the panel shared that when employees have a hand in planning for their future and defining their workflows and processes, the transition becomes smoother, employee satisfaction improves, and trust grows, creating an environment that is most conducive to transformation.

Healthcare leaders must also prepare by investing in training and development initiatives to ensure staff can utilize these new tools effectively. Ultimately, the goal is not to replace human interaction but to enhance it by removing existing administrative barriers that prevent it.

AI and automation present a compelling solution to the healthcare industry’s pressing challenges. A collaborative approach that reconsiders how work gets done; including redefined roles, AI Agents, and training and development, is crucial to ensuring that the workforce adapts to and thrives in an increasingly automated environment.