How an AI-powered Scribe is easing physician documentation burden in the ER at Alberta Health Services

AI scribes have the potential to reduce documentation time, improve workflows, and ease administrative burden in the emergency department — while also enhancing patient care.

This presentation will share Alberta Health Services’ experience implementing an AI scribe in the emergency departments, highlighting early evaluation findings on its impact on patient interactions, physician workflow, and provider well-being.

Learning Objectives

1. Explore the evolving role and potential of AI in the healthcare industry

2. Review efficiencies realized by ER physicians at Alberta Health Services

3. Understand benefits of building LLM powered solutions versus buying

 

Speakers

Kevin Lonergan

Kevin is an experienced analytics leader within AHS's Data and Analytics Team (DnA) and works with a team of analysts that support various Program Improvement and Integration Networks (PINs). He's currently engaged in multiple projects leveraging generative AI, including the implementation of an AI Scribe in Alberta’s Emergency Departments, and supporting work to develop AI infrastructure within AHS. Kevin is passionate about the potential for AI to improve clinical decision support and is keen to help AHS better exploit Alberta's extensive data assets.

Dr. Mike Weldon

Dr. Mike Weldon is an Emergency Physician working in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.  He has been interested in A.I. scribes since the “ChatGPT” moment in 2023 and pioneered the use of the technology within Alberta Health Services.  He is co-recipient of a 2024 ‘Healthcare Unburdened’ Grant, awarded by the Canadian Medical Association and sponsored by Scotiabank, to study the impact of AI scribes on physician administrative burden and burnout.  Prior to entering the medical profession, Dr. Weldon obtained his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and worked in the field of GPU computing.