Kaiser Permanente Colorado Uses AI to Improve Patient Visit Summaries

New AI software assists doctors in recording and summarizing patient visits, improving interaction quality and efficiency.

AI-Powered Note-Taking Rolls Out in Colorado

Kaiser Permanente Colorado has introduced artificial intelligence software designed to assist doctors in recording and summarizing patient visits. This new tool, currently available to all providers in the region, captures conversations between doctors and patients—with the patients' consent—and generates summaries for medical records.

Enhanced Patient Interaction and Time Savings

Dr. Brian Juan, a family medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente’s Longmont office, was among the first to test the software before its official rollout. According to Dr. Juan, the app records the conversation via the doctor's work phone, then provides a summary that the provider can review and edit before adding it to the patient's medical record. While the app doesn't suggest diagnoses or make decisions, it significantly reduces the time spent on documentation.

“The time saved is one thing, but the quality of the interaction with the patient is the bigger impact,” Dr. Juan remarked, noting that he no longer has to divide his attention between the computer and the patient during visits.

Patient Privacy and Data Security Concerns

Patients who access their records through Kaiser Permanente’s online portal can view the notes from their recent visits. They also have the right to request corrections to any inaccuracies in their records, regardless of whether the error was made by a human or an AI tool.

The app, developed by the startup Abridge, was introduced without public disclosure of its cost. According to Tim Hwang, Abridge’s general counsel, the recordings are retained for a short period to allow doctors to verify the summaries. Afterward, the recordings are deleted, and they are not used for further AI training or development.

Public Reception and Privacy Considerations

A recent poll by Ohio State University revealed that 70% of respondents were comfortable with AI-assisted note-taking during medical visits, though an equal percentage expressed concerns about the implications for data privacy.

Dr. Juan reported that all his patients consented to using the AI app, with some making light-hearted comments about privacy. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with patients appreciating the improved focus and attention from their doctor during visits.

“It’s improved my ability to go in there and have a human conversation,” Dr. Juan said, emphasizing the benefits of being able to fully engage with patients without the distraction of note-taking.