US-based, integrated, not-for-profit health system Sentara Health has implemented AI-powered ThinkAndor Virtual Nursing of Andor Health, a virtual care provider.

The health system, which employs 34,000 staff across 12 hospitals in Virginia, Northeastern North Carolina, and Florida, is turning to AI to ease the burden on bedside nurses.

This move also aims to address the persistent nursing shortages and drive better patient outcomes.

By automating tasks such as admission and discharge planning, ThinkAndor Virtual Nursing allows nurses to focus more on direct patient care.

ThinkAndor's cloud-based platform uses generative AI models to tailor patient care, prompting users to complete necessary documentation and administrative tasks.

The optimisation of communication workflows is expected to accelerate the time to treatment.

In addition, the platform integrates with various systems, such as electronic medical records, biometric devices, and other signals, to provide real-time actionable intelligence to care teams.

By integrating with Sentara's electronic health record (EHR) system, ThinkAndor will be able to set up signals driven by the EHR and automate processes such as patient education.

Andor Health chairman and CEO Raj Toleti said: “AI technology, when used responsibly, assists and supports the nurses and care team in delivering effective patient care outcomes. By leveraging an AI-first approach, ThinkAndor Virtual Nursing supports the bedside care team to deliver direct patient care.

“ThinkAndor is fundamentally enhancing the way care is delivered by using AI to orchestrate patient observation with computer vision, streamline documentation with voice and natural language processing, and enhance collaboration workflows.”

Sentara is launching ThinkAndor Virtual Nursing at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, using fixed, in-room devices.

This is deployed in medical-surgical and intermediate care units, with intentions to expand system-wide.

Sentara Health chief nursing officer Mary Morin said: “By implementing virtual nursing, Sentara is focusing on patient-centred care that uses technology to support our care teams better.

“Sentara is committed to leveraging technology to improve outcomes, and AI-first ThinkAndor is designed to improve access to and delivery of care for patients and providers.”