NextGen Healthcare is introducing an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven ambient listening solution for eyecare professionals (ECPs): NextGen Ambient Assist.
Let’s start with this company.
NextGen Healthcare is an Atlanta, Georgia-based software and services company that develops and sells electronic health record (EHR) software and practice management systems for healthcare professionals (HCPs).
Among its solutions are:
- Telehealth
- Revenue cycle management (RCM)
- Analytics and reporting
- Data platforms
See its services and resources.
Note: These are available for specialties such as behavioral health, cardiology, ophthalmology, orthopediatrics, and podiatry, to name a few.
Hone in on this ambient listening.
The NextGen Ambient Assist is marketed as turning “patient-provider conversations on mobile devices into temporary transcripts” that generate structured subjective, objective, assessment, and plan (SOAP) notes—with 90% accuracy in 20 to 30 seconds.
- Essentially: Using this technology, an eyecare professional (ECP) can focus their attention on interacting with their patients and spend less time taking down notes—not to mention saving up to 2 hours per day they would have otherwise spent on documentation.
Take note: While the technology was initially launched in 2023 for other specialty areas and HCPs, its availability is now expanded and tailored for optometric and ophthalmic workflows.
How does it work?
It all involves NextGen’s portfolio of clinical applications.
First, the Ambient Assist captures details into “organized fields for every section of the eye.”
Then: An ECP reviews the generated visit note and makes any necessary edits from their mobile device before the notes are delivered to the NextGen Enterprise EHR—part of the company’s solutions.
- After that: These AI-generated notes can be accessed via the NextGen Mobile application (downloadable on an ECP’s smartphone) at any time.
Can I see a visual of this?
Important to know: Is this HIPAA-compliant?
NextGen noted its solutions and platforms use Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deliver “secure and reliable hosted solutions to its clients”—which includes adhering to multiple compliance frameworks and industry standards.
Among those: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance.
- Although, in other news: The company also reported a HIPAA compliance data breach in May 2023 that impacted over 1 million individuals (which later led to multiple class action lawsuits).
Interesting … So what are some other benefits for ECPs?
Universal across healthcare as a whole, the technology is reported to be “familiar with natural, conversational speaking and immediately recognizes medical acronyms.”
Three other special features include:
- Complete automation: Following ECP approval, no other action is needed to copy and paste the notes into the EHR
- Auto-deletion: Audio and transcripts are never stored or saved (to ensure client privacy)
- Decision support: The Ambient Assist “will enable decision support” for specific diagnoses and relevant lab or imaging orders for an ECP to review/approve—all based on their patient conversation
And in terms of patient volume?
Based on NextGen’s calculations, see the additional potential annual reimbursements for clinical practices based on annual patient volume:
- 1,000 patients per year = $93,750 potential annual reimbursement
- Hours saved from reduced documentation time: 18.75
- 300,000 patients per year = $28,125,000 potential annual reimbursement
- Hours saved from reduced documentation time: 5,625
Calculate your practice’s savings.
Nice! Where can I learn more about this?
Read up on the product via its brochure—and schedule a demo here.
Bonus: If you’re attending the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) meeting in Chicago, Illinois, Oct. 18-21, stop by the NextGen Healthcare booth (#2037) for a live demo!