Oracle is set to release its AI-powered generative clinical assistant in the next quarter, entering a competitive market focused on reducing paperwork burden for healthcare providers. The tool was first showcased in September, but its release has been delayed compared to other similar software options already available with generative AI capabilities.
The company has been conducting beta tests of the clinical assistant with its vendor partners for several months. This digital assistant is designed to automatically transcribe patient visits and provide suggestions for providers on next steps, such as ordering medications or scheduling lab tests. Oracle’s Chief Healthcare Officer, Nasim Afsar, expressed enthusiasm about the positive response from beta testing and the ongoing improvements being made to the tool before its market release.
Major cloud companies like Google and Microsoft have been actively developing AI tools to leverage patient data insights and integrate them into healthcare providers’ workflows through partnerships with electronic medical record vendors like Epic and Meditech. Oracle’s unique advantage in this field is its ownership of Cerner, the second-largest EHR vendor in the US, allowing the company to offer cloud services on top of Cerner for its customers. The upcoming Clinical Assistant, however, will be EHR-agnostic to cater to a wider market.
The demand for AI tools in healthcare has boosted cloud sales for companies like Oracle, with a focus on reengineering industry-specific applications to incorporate AI capabilities. Despite facing stiff competition in the industry, Oracle believes its clinical documentation tool offers a more solid solution compared to rapid market entries by other companies like Microsoft and Amazon.
In addition to the generative clinical assistant, Oracle announced updates to its Health Data Intelligence portfolio during the HIMSS conference, including a tool that summarizes patient history using AI to reduce manual chart reviews by care managers. This continuous innovation in AI-driven healthcare solutions highlights the ongoing technological advancements in the industry.
Article Source
https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/oracle-generative-ai-clinical-assistant-launch-timeline/710027/