Technology is transforming healthcare in remarkable ways, but its greatest value isn't replacing the human touch—it's enhancing it. At San Juan Regional Medical Center, we're embracing clinical artificial intelligence (AI) to support our physicians and care teams, allowing them to spend less time documenting care and more time caring for patients.
"Technology should support clinical decision-making, not distract from it," said Dr. Carlo Hallak, Physician Informatics Executive. "Our goal is to make sure the right information reaches the right caregiver at the right time."
Putting Patients First
Clinical AI is designed to be patient-centered. By analyzing clinical information, the technology helps surface the most important details about each patient, ensuring physicians and caregivers can quickly focus on what matters most. The result is better clinical decision support, allowing healthcare professionals to practice at the top of their license while delivering personalized, high-quality care.
Dr. Carlo Hallak, Physician Informatics Executive, left, works with members of San Juan Health Partners Urgent Care staff with implementing clinical artificial intelligence into caregiver workflows.
A Better Conversation Between Physician and Patient
Our San Juan Health Partners outpatient clinics have implemented an ambient clinical AI assistant. Rather than typing notes throughout an appointment, providers can focus their full attention on the patient while the AI securely listens to the conversation. The technology converts everyday language into a structured clinical note, translating lay terms into appropriate medical terminology.
After the visit, the physician reviews, edits if necessary, and approves the documentation before it becomes part of the patient's medical record. The physician remains in complete control. AI serves as an assistant.
By reducing documentation time by an estimated 60 to 80 percent, physicians can spend less time after appointments completing notes and more time caring for patients, collaborating with colleagues, or seeing the next patient sooner.
Supporting Better Care
Beyond documentation, clinical AI helps capture important details that might otherwise be overlooked. Because it is trained specifically for healthcare settings, it can organize information into meaningful clinical documentation while remaining available whenever caregivers need it.
Future enhancements will expand these capabilities even further. The next phase of the technology will be able to cue orders—such as imaging studies or medications—based on the clinical conversation. Physicians will continue to review every recommendation and decide whether to approve it before any care is provided.
Dr. Carlo Hallak, Physician Informatics Executive, right, works with members of San Juan Health Partners Urgent Care staff with implementing clinical artificial intelligence into caregiver workflows.
Patients Remain in Control
Patient trust is essential. Before the ambient AI assistant is used during an appointment, patients are asked for their consent. They choose whether to enable the technology, ensuring they remain in control of their healthcare experience.
Technology That Brings Joy Back to Medicine
For Dr. Hallak, one of the most rewarding aspects of implementing clinical AI has been the response from physicians.
"This is the first time in my career that physicians are coming to me asking for a new technology," he said. "This tool is bringing joy back to practicing medicine."
While clinical AI is available to assist and enhance care, it is not what ultimately improves patient outcomes.
"It's our physicians, nurses, and every member of the care team who make the difference," Dr. Hallak said. "AI simply helps remove administrative burdens so they can focus on what they do best, caring for patients."
As clinical AI continues to evolve, San Juan Regional Medical Center remains committed to using innovation thoughtfully, always with one goal in mind: improving the experience for both patients and caregivers while delivering exceptional, compassionate care.