Peterborough Regional Health Centre and AI Scribe
Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is using a new software called AI Scribe. Please read this information to learn more about AI Scribe and how it can be used during visits with your healthcare providers.
How does AI Scribe work?
When your healthcare provider comes to see you, AI Scribe will make a summary of notes, based on the conversation you have with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will read every note that is made before it is added to your medical record.
What are the benefits of using AI Scribe?
Healthcare providers, such as doctors, spend around 10 hours each week on administrative tasks, such as documenting notes after seeing patients. AI Scribe will lower the time they spend on documenting. This gives the doctor more time to spend with each patient.
Why am I being asked for consent to use AI Scribe?
Your consent lets the health care provider use AI Scribe, which takes notes of what you speak to the healthcare provider about when they come to see you. The health care provider reviews and has to approve all notes before the note is added to your electronic medical chart. Should you have concerns with the information, you can speak to your healthcare provider or contact PRHC’s Privacy Office at (705) 743-2121 ext. 3856 or privacy@prhc.on.ca.
You are also consenting to the use of your information to improve the technology. AI systems are always learning and improving so they can create better service. Your personal health information will be removed to protect your privacy during data use and storage. AI Scribe follows all Canadian health privacy laws, ensuring your information is secured and kept protected.
Do I need to consent to this?
Your healthcare provider will only use AI Scribe to take notes for your discussion if you give consent. It is your choice. You do not need to agree to the use of AI Scribe, and the quality of care you get will not change based on what you choose.
What if I change my mind?
Your healthcare provider can stop using AI Scribe at anytime. It can also be restarted if necessary. For example, your doctor can restart AI Scribe to note any important medical information you forgot to say during the first AI scribe.
If you wish to discuss after you see your health care provider, please contact PRHC’s Privacy Office at (705) 743-2121 ext. 3856 or privacy@prhc.on.ca.
Is my health information secure?
After the information is made into a clinical note, it will be permanently deleted and all personal health information will be removed within 90 days and cannot be accessed.
What are the potential risks?
Your personal health information is protected by Ontario’s privacy laws and there are always some risks with using AI, such as documentation not being correct. Your healthcare provider will review the AI notes for accuracy before adding them to your medical record.
Why is AI used in healthcare?
Like other sectors, there are many benefits to using AI in healthcare. Using AI can help with many things such as giving staff more time to focus on delivering or supporting patient care, by reducing time spent on documenting.
Does AI Scribe work if there’s more than one doctor in the room?
Yes, there can be multiple people that are in the same room. AI Scribe will pick up on the information and make notes based on this.
Only the patient, or their Substitute Decision Maker (SDM), needs to consent to the use of AI Scribe, as it is the patient’s information that will be recorded and used.
How does AI Scribe handle “chit-chat” between people?
AI Scribe notes are limited to clinical information, so your casual conversation will not be part of your medical record.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
If you have questions about your privacy, contact PRHC’s Privacy Office at (705) 743-2121 ext. 3856 or privacy@prhc.on.ca.
