Queensland’s Metro South Health is rolling out Heidi’s ambient AI scribe across the health service following a trial that found 92 per cent of participating clinicians spent less time on administration.
The rollout began in June and will continue over the coming year, following a trial in 2025.
The AI scribe listens to patient consultations and generates clinical documentation for review, with Metro South Health reporting it saved doctors an average of 59 minutes a day during the trial.
Logan Hospital emergency department specialist Dr Julian Wong said reviewing the generated notes for accuracy was quicker than writing notes for each patient.
“Doctors and clinicians spend hours doing documentation – the scribe has given us time back to spend with our patients.
“Connecting with patients is one of the most important parts of healthcare and ensures we are delivering the highest standard of care,” Dr Wong said.
The trial found 92 per cent of clinicians reported spending less time on administration and 70 per cent felt more present and engaged with patients.
More than 70 per cent of patients also reported feeling their clinician spent more time with them and listened more, while 56 per cent of clinicians rated the AI scribe as equal to or better at documentation.
“We’re excited to extend the tool for use across our health service, with many staff already reaching out, asking to get involved,” Dr Wong said.
The rollout is supported by Microsoft, with Heidi deployed on Microsoft Azure to support its use across Metro South Health.
Heidi CEO Dr Thomas Kelly said the technology could be used across a range of clinical disciplines.
“There’s a diverse range of disciplines and patients that can benefit from our scribe, which adapts to how each individual clinician works.
“Clinicians need a reliable AI tool to support the way they work, and patients need to know their information is secure,” Dr Kelly said.
Metro South Health provides services to more than 1.2 million people across Brisbane’s southside, Logan, Redlands and Scenic Rim, including at Princess Alexandra, Logan, Redland, QEII Jubilee and Beaudesert hospitals.
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