Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1535972
36 INNOVATION A look at Penn Medicine's 10 transformation projects By Naomi Diaz P hiladelphia-based Penn Medicine is advancing 10 ongoing transformation projects aimed at improving efficiency, reducing provider burden and enhancing patient outcomes. Here is a look at Penn Medicine's current transformation strategy, according to a March 31 news release: 1. Care at home: e health system has launched the PATH program, which shis acute care from hospitals to homes for conditions such as pneumonia, reducing hospital congestion and improving patient satisfaction. 2. Ambient AI: Penn Medicine is using AI-powered ambient listening technology to transcribe clinician-patient conversations in an effort to lower the documentation burden on providers. 3. Dementia care: e health system rolled out its GUIDE program, an initiative that offers holistic dementia care — including 24/7 support, care coordination and respite assistance — to ease caregiver burden. 4. Automated appointments: Penn Medicine implemented Switchboard, a text-based system aimed at optimizing scheduling and reducing no-show rates. 5. Refill Express: is program automates prescription refills via a texting platform, with a goal of reducing manual labor for pharmacists by 90% and expediting medication access. 6. Coordn8: is initiative replaces fax-based medical record transfers with AI-powered smart forms and e-consent tools. e health system said it has saved more than 5,000 staff hours and improved efficiency. 7. High-risk follow-through: is program uses technology to identify and complete missed follow-ups. It currently focuses on pulmonary nodules, with plans to expand. 8. ORACLE program: Penn Medicine uses this AI tool to optimize surgical scheduling, which the health system said has reduced errors by 55%. 9. Speeding up science: is initiative is designed to shorten the time from research to clinical practice. 10. COBALT platform: is platform supports clinician mental health through peer coaching and AI-driven well-being interventions. n 15 most innovative companies in healthcare By Naomi Diaz Abridge, an AI-powered medical transcription company that helps clinicians document patient visits efficiently, was named the most innovative healthcare company by Fast Company. Fast Company released its 2025 list of "Most Innovative Companies in Healthcare," which includes 15 nominees: 1. Abridge 2. Babson Diagnostics 3. Knownwell 4. AISAP 5. WellRithms 6. Paragonix Technologies 7. SCAN Group 8. Midi Health 9. Bend Health 10. Nest Health 11. Curative 12. Homeward Health 13. Apella 14. Infinitus Systems 15. Freshpaint n Future-proofing a $2.2B hospital: Why Nebraska Medicine is building smart rooms By Giles Bruce Omaha-based Nebraska Medicine is future-proofing its upcoming $2.2 billion hospital by testing out smart rooms at its current campus. e health system launched a 17-bed "innovation design unit" earlier this year to try out new technologies ahead of the new medical center set to open in around a decade. "e goal for this unit is to ensure that we not build a hospital that's obsolete the day it opens," Scott Raymond, BSN, RN, chief information and innovation officer of Nebraska Medicine, told Becker's. "So, to future-proof that $2 billion-plus investment for 30 to 50 years." e technologies in the unit so far include real-time location services and virtual nursing capabilities. Patients can control their entertainment, room temperature and blinds via iPads, where they can also order food and video chat with loved ones. Each room cost over $2 million.