At UToledo Health, Ambient AI Decreases Open Charts, Improves Documentation

Why It Matters

The solution demonstrates how AI can alleviate clinician burnout, boost revenue‑cycle efficiency, and elevate patient experience, signaling a scalable model for health systems seeking to modernize EHR workflows.

Key Takeaways

• Ambient AI cut open charts from 400+ to under 30
• Over 3,000 patient encounters documented in eight‑week pilot
• Real‑time note generation reduced after‑hours documentation burden
• Clinicians reported higher patient engagement and less screen distraction
• Structured notes improved coding accuracy and billing cycle speed

Pulse Analysis

The electronic health record has become a double‑edged sword for hospitals: it centralizes data but siphons physician time into paperwork, fueling burnout and after‑hours work. Across the United States, health systems report rising numbers of open charts and delayed billing, which erode revenue‑cycle performance and compliance. In response, vendors are turning to ambient artificial intelligence that listens to the clinical encounter and auto‑generates structured documentation. By embedding the technology directly into existing EHR platforms such as Epic, providers can preserve the natural flow of care while capturing the data needed for quality reporting and reimbursement.

UToledo Health’s eight‑week pilot with Nabla’s AI assistant involved 40 clinicians handling more than 3,000 patient visits. The system produced draft notes in real time, which physicians reviewed and finalized within the same encounter, slashing the backlog of open charts from over 400 to fewer than 30. This near‑instant documentation eliminated the need for after‑hours charting, reduced screen time, and allowed doctors to stay fully present with patients. Early feedback highlighted improved patient engagement and a noticeable drop in clinician fatigue, while the richer, more consistent notes bolstered coding accuracy and accelerated billing cycles.

The results suggest a replicable pathway for health systems aiming to modernize their documentation workflow without costly workflow redesigns. Real‑time AI note generation can translate into measurable financial gains through faster claim submission and lower compliance risk, while also supporting value‑based care metrics that depend on precise clinical data. As regulatory bodies encourage interoperability and data quality, ambient AI tools that seamlessly integrate with legacy EHRs are likely to see broader adoption. For administrators, the technology offers a compelling ROI narrative: reduced labor costs, higher revenue capture, and a better patient experience.