Transforming Patient Care: How Nabla's Ambient AI Enhances Clinician Efficiency and Experience
In a pioneering move, Neighborhood Healthcare has integrated Nabla’s ambient AI technology into its systems, aiming to transform the way clinicians interact with patients and handle administrative tasks. This development comes in the wake of a successful four-month pilot program, showing promising results in alleviating the burden on healthcare workers and enhancing overall patient care.
The Need for Innovative Solutions
Neighborhood Healthcare serves around 100,000 patients annually across the San Diego and Riverside counties. Like many Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), it faces the dual challenge of providing high-quality care while managing limited resources. Clinicians often find themselves overwhelmed by the increasing demands of patient care, alongside time-consuming administrative obligations related to electronic health records (EHRs).
Research indicates that for every hour a clinician spends directly with patients, they typically spend nearly double that time on administrative tasks, often causing stress, fatigue, and even burnout. This scenario can lead to diminished interactions with patients, which is particularly problematic for those relying on FQHCs for their ongoing health needs. Recognizing these challenges, Neighborhood Healthcare sought a solution that could alleviate the administrative load while allowing clinicians to focus on direct patient engagement.
Introducing Nabla's Ambient AI
Nabla’s ambient AI operates as an intelligent assistant that listens to patient visits (with consent) and automatically generates structured clinical notes compatible with existing EHR systems, specifically eClinicalWorks in this case. The technology aims to minimize the time clinicians spend addressing paperwork, allowing them to devote more of their energies to patient care.
Dr. Rakesh Patel, CEO of Neighborhood Healthcare, articulated the positive impact this technology has made, stating, "Supporting our clinicians is one of the most effective ways we can improve access and quality of care." Since the launch, clinicians have reported a significant decrease in the time spent on documentation, allowing them to enjoy reduced after-hours work commitments, some even expressing that they feel they have their nights and weekends back.
During the pilot, approximately 34,000 notes were generated, with providers rating 76% of these notes as 4 out of 5 or higher. This impressive statistic highlights Nabla’s capability for producing accurate and reliable clinical documentation, as only 2% of the generated notes required editing.
Customizable Features for Diverse Needs
An important design aspect of Nabla is its flexibility, allowing clinicians to customize tone, length, and structure in line with their unique documentation styles. This versatility allows for a more personalized approach to medical documentation, catering to over 55 specialties. The integration of features such as patient context within notes significantly streamlines the patient intake process, giving clinicians comprehensive information to work with from the outset of patient visits.
Furthermore, Nabla has multilingual capabilities, including support for Spanish and Arabic, making it particularly useful for FQHCs that cater to diverse populations. This adaptability ensures that all patients receive informed and compassionate care, regardless of background.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Roles for Medical Assistants
With the successful adoption of Nabla’s ambient AI, Neighborhood Healthcare is exploring further innovative applications, particularly concerning the role of Medical Assistants (MAs) in their clinical workflow. Future plans include training MAs to assist with discharge summaries and laboratory orders, which will free up even more time for clinicians to focus on patient care. In safety-net settings, where resources are often strained, these adjustments could significantly enhance operational efficiency and reduce overall clinician burnout.
Dr. Edgar Bulloch, Assistant Chief Medical Officer of Neighborhood Healthcare, reiterated the technological boon presented by Nabla: "With Nabla's ambient AI, I no longer have to type frantically during visits or worry that I'll miss capturing something important. Instead, I can focus on the patient, listening to their story, making eye contact, and truly engaging."
In conclusion, the partnership between Neighborhood Healthcare and Nabla marks a significant step towards more effective, compassionate healthcare. By leveraging technology to assist with administrative tasks, both organizations aim to reclaim vital clinical time and improve the quality of care provided to patients. As Nabla continues to grow, there's an optimistic outlook for how artificial intelligence can redefine clinician-patient interactions for the better.
About Neighborhood Healthcare
Neighborhood Healthcare has dedicated itself for over 50 years to providing quality care to everyone regardless of circumstances. Their commitment to compassion and professionalism plays a crucial role in community health across San Diego and Riverside Counties.
About Nabla
Nabla stands at the forefront of ambient AI technology, minimizing practitioner stress while augmenting patient care. Their AI-generated clinical notes and advanced solutions like Dictation revolutionize efficiency for clinicians worldwide. The company’s leadership team possesses a wealth of experience, ensuring they stay ahead in the rapidly evolving healthcare technology sector.
For further information on almost changing healthcare through AI, visit
Nabla’s website.