Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Orthopedics.

Hardly a day goes by that the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not on the news, part of discussions in academic settings, and in publishing. However, it is also particularly important to understand the influence AI will have on healthcare. Each week, I receive new invitations to meet with vendors that can improve many things and increase clinic efficiency. Whether it be to document clinic visit notes, accurately code office visits, develop care pathways, monitor patient progress, schedule clinic visits, assist with call centers, and the list goes on and on. Also, each week, I am asked by my staff and clinicians about when they can begin using AI to help with these same topics. Currently, in my practice, we are actively learning to help us understand the way we want to proceed. What we have learned is that we have a lot to learn and need to proceed with both excitement and caution to implement the best solutions for our staff and patients. The greatest request has been to identify ways to increase efficiency in documenting the office visit. AI uses something called natural language processing, which can automate clinical documentation, which would allow clinicians to focus on the actual patient interaction without the burden of paperwork. A listening device is used to “hear” the encounter and then place that information into the chart. However, with that comes the need to protect patient information and also assure that what is created with the AI tool is also accurate. Incorporating this into the workflow is the adoption of a platform that integrates with the electronic health record or usea tools that exist within the electronic health record. Part of any selection process must include the protection of patient information, and it must be a high priority in the selection process. Another area that could be optimized is the call center and scheduling operations. AI-assisted call center and scheduling systems can optimize appointment bookings and resource management, ensuring that patients receive responsive, accurate, and timely management. Managing high-volume telephone interactions can be impacted by using AI. But the systems need careful design to be sure that they meet the needs of the patient. It cannot be so complex that patients default to old processes. Education of both staff and patients is crucial to the success of these types of tools. Patient monitoring is especially useful in orthopedics. The use of wearable devices that include AI capabilities that can monitor patients’ activities postoperatively to alert clinicians to potential issues could be valuable. There is no lack of platforms for remote patient monitoring. This also requires due diligence in evaluating the capabilities of the platform, and also protection of patient information. These are just a few areas where AI may benefit both patients and clinicians. The integration of AI in orthopedic nursing is not just a trend but something that is rapidly moving forward. As orthopedic nurses, we have an opportunity to transform clinical practice, but it requires us to be mindful of privacy and ethical considerations for our patients. We would want to use AI to its full potential to enhance patient care and elevate the standards of orthopedic nursing. This is why orthopedic nurses should be involved in the conversations about how AI will be used in different settings. Now is the time to become involved and learn about this exciting technology!