How We Use Artificial Intelligence
Howard County Medical Center uses Artificial Intelligence.
As part of our commitment to care, we use technology to help our care teams, respect your privacy and improve your experience.
Artificial intelligence, or AI, is one way we help doctors and mental health providers spend more time focused on you and less time on administrative work. AI tools assist clinicians with certain tasks. They do not replace your care team, clinical judgment or your choices.
This page explains how we use AI today, how it supports your care, and what it means for your rights and privacy as a patient.
What is AI in health care?
AI refers to computer systems that can analyze information, recognize patterns and support certain tasks. In health care, AI may help with clinical documentation, scheduling support or administrative workflows. Your provider remains in charge of your care and decides what information becomes part of your health record.
AI in patient care: AVO MD for clinical documentation.
One example of how Howard County Medical Center uses AI is AVO MD. Some medical clinic physicians, ED providers, physical/occupational/speech therapists, and outpatient mental health providers may use this tool to help document your visit.
How AVO MD works.
During your visit, your provider may use AVO Scribe, a voice-activated tool that helps document your care. The tool listens during the visit and identifies medically relevant information, such as symptoms, medical history and treatment details, to help draft a clinical note. Conversation not related to your care is filtered out.
After the visit, your provider reviews the draft note, makes any needed edits and approves the final version before it becomes part of your medical record. Your visit will feel the same as usual. Your provider continues to lead the conversation and decide what is included in your record.
Why we use AI.
When used responsibly, AI can help free up more time for providers to talk with patients, reduce time spent on computer work after visits and support focused listening and patient care. AI tools do not make diagnosis or treatment decisions on their own.
Privacy, security and your rights.
HCMC applies the same high standards of privacy and security to AI tools as we do to all clinical systems. Audio recordings and note transcriptions are stored securely and deleted within a defined period. Your provider controls what is included in your medical record. Nothing becomes part of your record without provider review and approval.
Your choice as a patient.
You have a choice about the use of AVO tools during your care. If your provider uses AVO and you do not want it to be used, let your provider know at the beginning of your appointment. Your care and treatment will not be affected by this decision.
Looking ahead
HCMC continues to evaluate how AI can be used safely and responsibility to support patient care, quality and experience. This page will be updated as new tools are introduced.
