AI embedded In The EHR Helps Prevent Adverse Medication Interactions

Hospital executives were given a cost-benefit analysis of error avoidance with an estimated savings of $6 million a year.

Artificial intelligence has stepped in to help complete the medication information in the medical record for patients who can't remember what drugs they are taking, let alone the dose. 

This is most of us, according to Rebecca Sulfridge, a clinical pharmacist and emergency specialist at Covenant HealthCare in Michigan. Most patients have gaps in their medication history. 

Technicians hear, "'I take three pills. One is a little white one. One is a pink one,'" or "'I know I take two blood pressure meds and one to sleep at night,'" in face-to-face talks with patients, according to Sulfridge. Even those patients who know the convoluted names of all the drugs they're taking may not know the dose.

It's Sulfridge's job to reconcile the medication medical record in the emergency room.

"The heart and soul lies with the medical history," Sulfridge said.

Improvements have been made through artificial intelligence embedded in the health system's electronic health record.