Epic is partnering with Microsoft to develop and integrate generative AI into its EHR software, with health systems beginning to pilot the new integrations.
Under the partnership, the companies will combine Microsoft's Azure OpenAI Service with Epic's EHR software, according to an April 17 press release from Microsoft. The aim of the partnership is to use generative AI to help healthcare organizations increase productivity and enhance patient care.
UC San Diego Health, Madison Wis.-based UW Health, and Palo Alto, Calif.-based Stanford Health Care are already starting to use the new integration to automatically draft message responses.
In addition, both companies are using natural language queries and interactive data analysis in SlicerDicer, Epic's self-service reporting tool. This integration will help clinicians use data in a more conversational manner, according to the companies.
"Our exploration of OpenAI's GPT-4 has shown the potential to increase the power and accessibility of self-service reporting through SlicerDicer, making it easier for healthcare organizations to identify operational improvements, including ways to reduce costs and to find answers to questions locally and in a broader context," said Seth Hain, senior vice president of research and development at Epic.