ChatGPT took the world by storm in 2023, opening up new possibilities for the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) across many different industries. Health care is no exception.
The potential benefits of AI adoption in health care are significant, but so are the risks. Recognizing this, OSF Innovation quickly formed a generative AI committee to oversee the safe and effective use of AI throughout the Ministry.
“As we considered what it meant to govern AI effectively, we wanted to involve the right people from the start and ensure we used their expertise to guide the process,” said Tyler Fitch, MD, director of medical informatics and integration for OSF HealthCare.
Governance
OSF Innovation pulled together a committee with leaders representing different divisions across the Ministry. Their priorities were to establish guardrails for the implementation of generative AI and to educate Mission Partners on what generative AI is and how it can impact health care.
OSF also joined 38 other health care payers and providers to pledge alignment to the Healthcare AI Commitments. The Healthcare AI Commitments is a collaborative effort with the White House to create a framework for using AI safely and responsibly in health care.
Healthcare AI Commitments champions the use of the FAVES Principles when considering new AI technologies and the OSF generative AI committee has adopted it. FAVES stands for fair, appropriate, valid, effective and safe. Using the FAVES Principles as guardrails protects against bias, ensures data is used safely and creates the expectation that AI tools must advance health care.
“We’re committed to doing our best to find the benefits of AI, but also prevent the risks. As we’ve looked at our governance, we wanted to ensure that we’re applying all those FAVES Principles to anything that we would release and endorse from OSF,” explained Dr. Fitch.
Implementing new AI technology
While establishing generative AI guidelines is crucial, OSF also wants to avoid unnecessary delays in the approval process to pilot or implement new technology. The committee was concerned that too many extra layers of approval for generative AI would slow down implementation.
“One of the things that came through loud and clear is we don’t want to add a ton of overhead to the time it takes to implement technology,” said Dr. Fitch. “If you have a new exciting technology that can be implemented safely then you don’t want to increase the burden to do something like that.”
Interested in health care AI?
OSF already has many checks and balances in place to implement new technologies. The committee has made recommendations to add a few extra questions to existing paperwork when a new project is brought forward that has generative AI. The answers to those questions may trigger additional review by the compliance or ethics departments.
Transparency
One area that could experience significant improvement in efficiency due to generative AI is the communication between patients and physicians. Generative AI could summarize a patient’s chart, provide templates for email communication or help physicians prioritize important messages and follow-up. According to Dr. Fitch, the generative AI committee at OSF has identified the need for transparency when using these types of tools.
“If we’re talking about a physician-patient interaction, for example, and something that might help a physician write a note, we’re going to be letting the patient know that we’re using that tool. If we have a response that has AI-assisted responses, we’re going to be letting people know that that’s happening,” said Dr. Fitch. “We want transparency about where the tools are being used and impacting things so that people aren’t surprised by this.”
Collaboration
Because generative AI is so new, collaboration with other health care entities has been a key focus for OSF. Here are some of the ways OSF is working with others on generative AI technology.
OSF is part of the Generative AI Strategic Collaborative, an effort led by AVIA to identify risks, opportunities and actionable steps for responsible, impactful and ethical AI adoption for health care.
OSF also works with Valid AI, an execution-focused organization that aims to bridge the gap in coordinated efforts, rapidly advancing validation and governance implementation for generative AI.
OSF Innovation has a long history of collaborating with academic institutions and innovators to drive change in health care. These existing relationships offer opportunities to work together in new ways using shared expertise in generative AI.
Dr. Fitch is excited about what these collaborations mean for the future of health care. “I think OSF is a leader in this area. Generative AI technology offers an opportunity to bring expertise and resources to new, innovative ideas to achieve good outcomes for our patients.”
One of the first generative AI projects for OSF is a pilot with Epic, the medical records system, using Nuance DAX Copilot. This tool listens during patient exams and automatically takes notes, allowing providers to focus fully on their conversation with the patient. Instead of being distracted by documentation, the provider will have a complete note ready at the end of the visit. Several medical group offices are participating in this trial.
Generative AI is set to transform health care, and OSF HealthCare is leading the way with thoughtful governance, efficient implementation, transparency and collaboration. These efforts ensure that generative AI benefits patients and providers while minimizing risks.