HCA Healthcare
October 23, 2024

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Source: Nashville Business Journal
Author: Nikki Ross
Date: October 23, 2024

Nashville’s largest public company has entered into a partnership to add an ambient artificial intelligence platform. 

HCA Healthcare Inc. (NYSE: HCA) chose California-based Commure to develop and deploy an ambient AI platform across its network, according to a press release. 

Ambient AI uses machine learning, data analytics and natural language processing with humanlike behavior to give patients personalized experiences.  

The product the two companies develop will be used to support workflows in HCA Healthcare’s emergency departments, hospitalist operations and ambulatory care. Commure will work directly with the hospital system’s Care Transformation and Innovation division and physicians to address challenges in health care documentation. 

Commure, which recently acquired the ambient AI company Augmedix, is currently negotiating with HCA on a formal agreement. 

“Our collaboration with Commure and Augmedix is bringing time-saving and innovative solutions directly to the hands of our health care providers,” said Dr. Michael Schlosser, senior vice president of HCA's Care Transformation and Innovation division, in the release. “By working directly with providers to integrate AI into their workflows, we expect to free up our health care professionals to spend more time focused on patient care, which is our ultimate goal.” 

AI has boomed across the business world over the past few years and the health care industry is ramping up its efforts to incorporate the technology, specifically when it’s aimed at reducing administrative work for providers. 

“At HCA Healthcare, we are committed to leveraging cutting-edge technology to empower our health care teams,” Schlosser said in a LinkedIn post Wednesday afternoon about the partnership. “Our ultimate goal is simple: freeing up time for our physicians and caregivers so they can focus on what matters most — delivering exceptional patient care.”

HCA Healthcare is Nashville’s largest publicly traded company by revenue, generating $64.9 billion in 2023, according to Business Journal research. The company is the nation’s largest health care provider with 188 hospitals and roughly 2,400 sites of care.

“Together with HCA Healthcare, we are building the future of health care AI,” said Tanay Tandon, CEO of Commure, in the release. “This platform goes beyond simple automation. It is designed to enhance clinical workflows in ways that allow healthcare providers to focus more on what matters most — caring for patients.”