The Michigan winter wind whips across the Lake Michigan shore as Dr. William Deaton begins another shift in Mercy Health Muskegon’s emergency department. But unlike the countless shifts before, today’s patient documentation follows a different rhythm – one assisted by artificial intelligence.
“I just started using Chartnote earlier today and it’s already increased my efficiency significantly,” says Dr. Deaton, his voice carrying the measured tone of someone who’s seen countless healthcare innovations come and go. “Especially with the HPI (History of Present Illness) portion.”
Breaking Free from Documentation Burden
For emergency physicians like Dr. Deaton, the struggle between providing patient care and maintaining accurate documentation has long been a professional tightrope walk. Emergency departments are high-stakes environments where split-second decisions meet stringent documentation requirements. Each patient encounter generates pages of required documentation, traditionally pulling physicians away from direct patient care.
According to recent survey data, the impact of AI scribe technology has been substantial. Among users, 100% reported reduced time spent on documentation, while 80% noted improved accuracy and efficiency. Perhaps most significantly, 73.3% of physicians found themselves with more time available for patient care.
A Lakeshore Practice Transformed
Dr. Deaton’s practice setting along the Michigan lakeshore presents unique challenges and opportunities. “I love working on the lakeshore. There are plenty of outdoor opportunities when not at work,” he shares, highlighting the work-life balance that initially drew him to the area. This balance, however, was often threatened by the mounting administrative burden faced by emergency physicians.
“In using Chartnote after obtaining consent from the patient to use the AI note, I do use it while I’m getting my history and physical,” Dr. Deaton explains. This real-time documentation approach represents a significant shift from traditional methods, where physicians often found themselves staying late to complete charts or trying to document between patient encounters.
Measuring Real-World Impact
The survey data reveals a broader pattern of improvement across multiple aspects of emergency medicine practice:
- 66.7% of physicians reported enhanced overall work satisfaction
- 53.3% experienced a decreased administrative workload
- 80% saw improvements in documentation accuracy and efficiency
These statistics align with Dr. Deaton’s experience in his busy emergency department. “I would highly recommend Chartnote to almost anybody who works in a busy department that needs to increase their efficiency, as well as get a more accurate record,” he states.
Beyond Documentation: Transforming Patient Care
As an Associate Program Director at Trinity Health’s emergency medicine residency program, Dr. Deaton’s experience with AI scribe technology carries additional significance. The technology not only affects his own practice but potentially influences the next generation of emergency physicians under his guidance.
The impact extends beyond mere efficiency. With backgrounds in specialized areas like atrial fibrillation and medical education, physicians like Dr. Deaton can now dedicate more time to complex medical decisions and teaching opportunities, rather than routine documentation.
Looking Forward: The Future of Emergency Medicine Documentation
As emergency departments nationwide grapple with increasing patient volumes and documentation requirements, Dr. Deaton’s experience offers a glimpse into a possible solution. The integration of AI scribe technology represents not just a technological advancement, but a potential shift in how emergency medicine balances patient care with administrative requirements.
For Dr. Deaton, the lakeshore continues to offer those outdoor opportunities he cherishes – fishing, hunting, biking, and coaching softball and baseball. Now, with reduced documentation burden, those activities seem a bit more accessible, even after a busy shift in the emergency department.
For more insights on how AI is transforming healthcare documentation, visit Chartnote’s official blog.
About Chartnote
Chartnote is revolutionizing medical documentation one note at a time by making generative AI, voice-recognition, and smart templates available to any clinician. We know first-hand that completing notes while treating patients is time-consuming and an epic challenge. Chartnote was developed as a complementary EHR solution to write your SOAP notes faster. Focus on what matters most. Sign up for a free account: chartnote.com
