Revolutionary AI Care Standard Promotes Patient Safety in Healthcare
Groundbreaking initiative establishes a standard for responsible patient-facing AI
A coalition of leading health systems, patient safety advocates, and technology innovators has launched the AI Care Standard™, the first operational standard dedicated to AI that communicates directly with patients. This initiative arises as AI-generated messages increasingly reach patients, utilizing methods like chatbots and automated outreach.
Despite the rapid evolution of AI tools in healthcare, organizations often lack a consistent framework to ensure the safety of AI interactions, similar to the standards in clinical communication with patients. Raj Ratwani, PhD, Vice President of Scientific Affairs at MedStar Health Research Institute, highlights, "AI is outpacing governance and oversight. The AI Care Standard offers a structured approach to responsibly implementing AI within this critical area of patient communication."
Recognizing a significant gap in the healthcare industry, the AI Care Standard addresses the need for clear and enforceable guidelines for patient-facing AI. This standard is designed for easy implementation by health systems and digital health organizations to ensure compliance across the board.
M. Bridget Duffy, M.D., co-chair of the initiative and the nation’s first Chief Experience Officer at the Cleveland Clinic, emphasizes, "The AI Care Standard establishes clear guidelines for evaluating and deploying AI in patient communication. This fosters innovation without compromising safety or increasing clinician workload." The initiative ensures that patient safety, trust, and the clinician's role are all preserved as AI becomes more integrated into everyday care.
The AI Care Standard offers a set of practical, healthcare-ready principles that outline the necessary components for secure AI-driven patient communication: accuracy, transparency, clarity, and accountable governance. These principles are vital for ensuring patients have positive experiences with AI tools.
The structure includes 10 Core Pillars, developed by the PatientAI Collaborative™ cohort, which shift from theoretical ethics to practical operational requirements for patient interactions. These pillars ensure safety, equity, governance, and usability for all involved: patients, families, clinicians, and care teams.
In conjunction with the Standard, the Collaborative has introduced the AI Care Standard Evaluation Framework™. This evaluation tool helps organizations assess whether their AI systems comply with the Standard by guiding them through a systematic review of AI-generated communication methods. This ensures that organizations closely monitor and adjust how AI interacts with patients in real healthcare environments.
Founding members of the PatientAI Collaborative™ encompass a broad range of expertise and leadership: CO-CHAIRS
- Duffy, Bridget, MD — Former Chief Patient Experience Officer, Cleveland Clinic; Healthcare experience advocate
- Ratwani, Raj, PhD — Vice President of Scientific Affairs, MedStar Health Research Institute
- Adirim, Terry, MD, MPH, MBA — Physician Executive
- Collens, Steven, MBA — CEO, MATTER
- Dash, Dev, MD, MPH — Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford University
- Drenkard, Karen, PhD — President, Drenkard Healthcare Consulting
- Erskine, Alistair, MD, MBA — Chief Information Digital Officer, Highmark Health
- Gold, Jeffrey A, MD — Associate Chief Health Information Officer, Oregon Health & Science University
- Liu, Tina HsinTing, CPA — Executive Director, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
- Nye, Kelly — Vice President, Marketing & Digital Strategy, HCA Healthcare
- Rogers, Jeremy — Vice President, Digital Marketing, Indiana University Health
- Sammer, Marla, MD — Vice Chair, AI and Innovation
- Woods, Adrienne, MPH — Vice President, Digital Engagement, Hackensack Meridian Health
- Daley Ullem, Beth, MBA — President, Quality and Safety First
- Hemmelgarn, Carole — Co-Founder, Patients for Patient Safety US
- Sharp, Janae — Executive Director and Founder, Sharp Index
- Patzer, Aaron, MSEE — CEO, Vital
- Sterling, Nick, MD, PhD — Chief Medical Information Officer, Vital
- Dow, Christine, MBA — Founder & Managing Partner, Wheel+Dow
- English, Kathy, BSN, RN — Chief Marketing Officer, Vital
- Wheelan, Julie, MBA — Founder & Managing Partner, Wheel+Dow
About the PatientAI Collaborative™
The PatientAI Collaborative™ brings together health systems, clinicians, and advocates to ensure safe and human-centered AI use in healthcare. Addressing the rise of AI in patient communications, this group aims to develop standards and tools that prioritize patient safety and clinician support. More information can be accessed through their official website.
About Wheel+Dow, LLC
Wheel+Dow is a consultancy focused on health and consumer wellness, providing strategy and program management for the AI Care Standard™ initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AI Care Standard™?
The AI Care Standard™ is an initiative designed to ensure responsible communication between AI systems and patients, emphasizing safety and transparency.
Who are the founding members of the PatientAI Collaborative™?
The founding members include health experts and leaders from across various sectors including clinical, technology, and patient advocacy organizations.
Why is patient safety important in AI communications?
Patient safety is crucial in AI communications to ensure trust, proper understanding, and effective healthcare delivery without compromising safety standards.
How does the AI Care Standard™ support healthcare practices?
The Standard provides evaluation tools and a framework for organizations to implement AI responsibly while maintaining high safety and quality standards.
Where can more information about the AI Care Standard™ be found?
More information can be found on the official website dedicated to the AI Care Standard™, detailing its principles and guidelines.
