As technology continues to evolve, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making significant strides in reshaping the healthcare industry. One of the more noticeable advancements is the introduction of AI-powered virtual assistants like Ana, a friendly voice trained to prepare patients for medical appointments and answer their questions.
Despite Ana’s ability to interact with patients in multiple languages and offer 24/7 assistance, she is not human. Ana is part of the growing presence of AI in healthcare, created by companies like Hippocratic AI, which aims to automate tasks traditionally handled by nurses and medical assistants. This is part of a larger trend of AI being used to monitor vital signs, flag emergency situations, and even guide patient care — roles that were once performed by nurses.
Hospitals argue that AI systems help improve the efficiency of nursing staff, helping alleviate burnout and the effects of understaffing. However, nursing unions are raising concerns. They argue that AI is undermining the expertise of human nurses and may compromise patient care.
The Rise of AI Nurses: Efficiency or Dehumanisation?
Michelle Mahon, from National Nurses United (the largest nursing union in the U.S.), claims that AI systems are attempting to replace human caregivers altogether. She warns that hospitals are embracing this technology to reduce costs and diminish the role of nurses. Mahon’s organisation has led protests at hospitals, advocating for nurses to have a say in how AI is integrated into healthcare and to be protected from disciplinary actions should they choose to override AI suggestions.
The impact of AI was highlighted recently when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — the incoming health secretary — suggested that AI nurses could be just as effective as human doctors, particularly in rural areas. This statement was echoed by Dr. Mehmet Oz, who believes that AI could reduce paperwork for doctors and nurses.
The Cost of AI in Nursing
While Hippocratic AI initially promoted its virtual assistant service at an hourly rate of $9, significantly lower than the $40 per hour for a registered nurse, it has since revised its approach, focusing more on the benefits and rigorous testing of its services. Despite this, AI assistants in healthcare face criticism from healthcare professionals for their potential to generate false alarms and provide misguided advice.
For instance, Adam Hart, an emergency room nurse at Dignity Health in Nevada, recounted an experience where the AI flagged a patient for sepsis, suggesting immediate high doses of IV fluids. However, after further examination, Hart realised the patient was a dialysis patient and needed a slower infusion. He voiced his concerns to the supervising nurse, but the standard protocol was initially insisted upon, with a physician only stepping in later to adjust the treatment plan.
Nurses like Hart and Melissa Beebe, a cancer nurse at UC Davis Medical Center, argue that while AI can streamline processes, it often results in a barrage of false alarms. For example, alerts might flag routine bodily functions, such as a bowel movement, as emergencies, which distracts nurses from their crucial tasks.
The Role of AI in Enhancing, Not Replacing, Care
Michelle Collins, Dean of Loyola University’s College of Nursing, argues that while AI should not replace human nurses, it has a role to play in supporting patient care. AI systems can assist nurses in monitoring multiple patients simultaneously and can alert staff to potential issues before they occur. However, Collins emphasises that these systems should augment, rather than replace, the human element that is essential in nursing.
Nurse Shortages and the Role of AI
In light of a significant nursing shortage, which worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, AI is seen as a potential solution. Over 100,000 nurses left the workforce during the pandemic, and with the U.S. population aging, the government projects that there will be over 190,000 new nursing openings every year until 2032. Hospital administrators view AI not as a replacement for nurses, but as a tool to assist them by gathering information and communicating with patients more efficiently.
At the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences in Little Rock, the hospital uses an AI assistant from Qventus to make hundreds of calls each week to prepare patients for surgery. This allows nurses to focus on more critical tasks, while AI handles administrative duties. The system is transparent with patients, letting them know they may be speaking to an AI assistant at times.
Challenges and Concerns with AI in Healthcare
Despite the promises, some worry that AI may not be suitable for everyone, particularly the sickest patients who make up a significant portion of healthcare. Roschelle Fritz, from the University of California Davis School of Nursing, highlights the challenge of relying on AI for patients with complex conditions, as these systems may struggle to understand the nuances of their care.
Furthermore, companies like Israeli startup Xoltar are exploring humanlike avatars that conduct video calls with patients, teaching techniques for managing chronic pain or helping smokers quit. However, experts remain cautious about AI’s potential for those with severe health issues.
The Future of AI in Nursing and Healthcare
As AI continues to develop, the healthcare industry faces critical decisions on how to integrate these technologies without compromising the quality of care. Nursing unions are calling for regulation and guidelines to ensure that AI serves as a tool for nurses, rather than a replacement. The future may see AI complementing the work of human nurses, allowing them to provide better care while reducing their administrative burdens.
Related Information for Consideration:
- AI in Healthcare: AI applications are becoming increasingly common in healthcare, with technologies being used to assist with diagnostics, patient monitoring, and administrative tasks.
- Nurse Shortage: The nursing shortage is a growing issue, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and AI is being considered as a potential solution to help address staffing gaps.
- AI Limitations: While AI has the potential to improve healthcare, it is important to consider the limitations of AI, particularly when it comes to complex medical situations that require human judgement and empathy.
As AI continues to make inroads in healthcare, the relationship between technology and human care will be crucial in determining the future of patient care. Nurses, while welcoming the efficiency AI brings, remain at the forefront of advocating for a healthcare system that values human expertise above all.