According to Mount Sinai's interim chief digital and information officer, all IT systems in healthcare will incorporate artificial intelligence within the next five years.
Bruce Darrow, MD, PhD, interim chief digital and information officer of the New York City-based health system told Becker's that the integration of AI is not just a trend but a necessity for remaining competitive in the healthcare industry.
"Most software companies will need to incorporate AI into their applications to remain competitive," he said. "The goal at Mount Sinai is to make sure we use the technology safely, effectively, equitably and ethically."
Overcoming challenges in AI integration
One of the most significant challenges in this endeavor is ensuring that AI delivers actionable insights to the right care team members at the right time.
"AI is not usually helpful if the information shows up as an Excel spreadsheet in your email inbox at 7:00 am," Dr. Darrow said.
To address this, Mount Sinai has invested considerable effort into contextualizing AI outputs for practical, real-time use in clinical settings.
Current and future AI applications
Mount Sinai is already testing and planning to implement a range of AI technologies.
"We have a group of predictive models developed by the Mount Sinai team to identify patients who would benefit from clinical care or outreach," Dr. Darrow said.
Additionally, the health system is evaluating algorithms that utilize generative AI to create summaries or draft letters and notes, as well as software platforms designed to assist radiologists in making timely and accurate diagnoses.
These advancements are not limited to clinical care. Recognizing that healthcare is also a business, Mount Sinai is exploring AI tools to enhance operational efficiency, further underscoring the versatility of AI applications within the healthcare industry.
Immediate and long-term impact
Dr. Darrow highlighted that AI has already made significant impacts in inpatient care and radiology, with promising opportunities emerging in office-based care. These immediate benefits are just the beginning.
Looking ahead, Dr. Darrow envisions a future where AI is seamlessly integrated into clinical workflows, providing clinicians with real-time information as they interact with patients and make recommendations.
"In the long run, there will be a focus on making sure that AI doesn't only provide information but is integrated — as well as possible — into the workflow," Dr. Darrow said. "Five years from now, there should be fewer clinicians saying, 'well let's see what the AI is telling me to do,' and more information available to them while they are speaking with patients and making their recommendations."