How AI Is Helping Ardent Physicians Reclaim Time

Ardent Health

Ardent Health, a major U.S. health system based in Nashville, Tennessee, has expanded the use of an artificial intelligence (AI) documentation platform across its ambulatory care network — freeing physicians from administrative burdens and giving them more time with patients.

What the AI Does

The AI system, developed by Ambience Healthcare, acts much like an ambient medical scribe: it listens to patient-provider conversations and automatically produces clinical documentation that is compliant with coding and regulatory standards.

This real-time drafting of notes, summaries, and coding suggestions helps clinicians avoid repetitive typing and manual charting in the electronic health record (EHR).

According to Ardent Health’s pilot results, clinicians experienced significant reductions in documentation time – roughly a 45% decrease – and reported saving about 5 hours per week on paperwork. These changes translated into less time spent on after-hours charting and more time available for focused, patient-centered care.

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Benefits for Clinicians and Patients

Clinicians in the pilot overwhelmingly reported a reduced cognitive load and greater job satisfaction after adopting the AI tool. Around 70% of participants said the system helped them feel less mentally taxed by administrative work, while all clinicians in the pilot noted improvements in their workflow.

Beyond individual benefits, the system has documented hundreds of thousands of patient encounters, indicating scalability for larger clinical settings. Ardent plans to broaden the platform’s use to additional care environments – including emergency departments and inpatient units – helping drive consistent efficiency gains across the health system.

Wider Implications of AI Documentation

The expansion at Ardent reflects a broader movement in healthcare toward ambient AI and automated medical scribes, tools that aim to reduce administrative burdens and combat clinician burnout.

Studies and deployments across the U.S. have demonstrated similar time-saving potential, enabling doctors to focus on clinical decision-making and patient interaction rather than completing forms and navigating EHRs.

As Ardent continues its rollout, the goal is to not only reclaim physicians’ time but also enhance the quality of care and clinician well-being – a pressing priority in healthcare systems nationwide.