Tenet to deploy Commure’s AI scribe at physician network

Dive Brief:

• Tenet Healthcare will roll out Commure’s artificial intelligence-backed scribe at its employed physician network, the for-profit provider and health data firm said this week. 
• The documentation tool records clinicians’ conversations with patients and organizes that information into a clinical note. The product can also suggest codes or prepare patient summaries for physicians before appointments, according to Commure.
• The deal comes about a month after the technology company unveiled a partnership with another large for-profit provider, HCA Healthcare, to develop and deploy its ambient AI platform.

Dive Insight:

Commure has been doubling down on AI-backed clinical documentation, a popular use case for generative AI with a number of large competitors like Microsoft, Amazon and Oracle. 

Early last month, the company said it completed its acquisition of AI notetaking firm Augmedix for about $139 million. Commure also recently merged with another healthcare technology company, Athelas, which offered its own AI scribe. 

Its AI platform is used by tens of thousands of physicians across 60 healthcare delivery networks, Commure said in a Tuesday press release.

The company, which also offers products for revenue cycle management, worker safety and remote patient monitoring, said utilizing AI for documentation allows providers to spend more time on direct patient care.

Other technology companies and healthcare providers have similar hopes for the emerging technology. Facing workforce shortages and clinician burnout, health systems say AI products could be a game changer for providers who have long complained about the time it takes to effectively document patient care — sometimes after work hours. 

Under Commure’s deal with Tenet, thousands of physicians could potentially use the AI scribe, according to a spokesperson. Commure didn’t detail a timeline when the tool could be fully rolled out. 

Tenet has previously said it plans to invest in AI technologies. The for-profit operator increased its capital spending this year, including on AI to “enhance our clinical and administrative efficiency,” CEO Saum Sutaria said during a second-quarter earnings call in July. 

But health systems will need to be cautious as they roll out AI tools, experts say. Accuracy and avoiding bias are key concerns, and providers will need to continually monitor AI models to ensure they’re performing to high standards. 

Cybersecurity, already a significant challenge for the healthcare sector, should also be a priority as the industry adopts more AI tools. The technology could bring new vulnerabilities for hackers to exploit, so providers should boost their cyber defense spending, according to an analysis by credit ratings agency Moody’s Ratings.