For Central Texans managing health care for themselves or their families, an important part of wellness means increased access to technology like apps, online scheduling, electronic communication, and artificial intelligence (AI). Austin Regional Clinic (ARC) strives continuously to add new technologies to meet the expectations of our sophisticated, high-tech community.

ARC has recently implemented new solutions to provide patients with more personalized recommendations for their care and helpful explanations about the meaning of their lab results. These enhancements, along with automatic release of test results in MyChart, SMS (Text) updates, new scheduling tickets for online scheduling, and the immediate availability of NormanMD telemedicine services, will serve to provide patients with better service and give ARC physicians and advanced practice clinicians (APCs) more time to develop engaging relationships with them.

Innovative solutions complement comprehensive care

ARC improves patient communication during and after patient visits using two newly implemented AI enhanced automated solutions. ARC piloted each solution with a small test group, asking for detailed feedback from physicians, APCs, staff, and patients. Once all necessary updates were completed and tested, ARC rolled it out throughout our practice. Testing and refinement for enhancements continue.

AI generated lab results

ARC patients now receive automatically generated summaries for normal and abnormal lab results. This helps patients better understand the result when they receive their lab results. ARC care teams continue to call patients to discuss abnormal labs and recommend next steps if necessary. In the initial clinic pilot study, 97% of patients who received the AI-generated summary felt it helped them better understand their lab results. Manish M. Naik, MD, ARC Chief Medical Officer and Chief Medical Information Officer, says "The platform has allowed our practitioners to spend more time doing what we do best: seeing and treating patients."

AI Assistant in office visits

ARC has also implemented a medical AI assistant that integrates with ARC’s electronic medical record (EMR) system for physicians who choose to use it. During and after every office visit, physicians and APCs must document minute details about the visit and often spend many extra hours each week to complete their work. This new AI Assistant facilitates their work so the physicians and APCs can review, update, and complete their work quicker thus freeing up time for patient interaction.

Patient communication made easy

ARC’s electronic medical record, MyChart, gives patients secure access to appointment scheduling, lab results, medications, medical records, paperless billing, and more -- all in the palm of their hand when using the app. Recent new features make health care easier for both MyChart and non-MyChart users.

Immediate test release

The immediate test release feature in MyChart gives patients a comprehensive view of their lab results alongside AI-generated comments within 24 hours of their labs being completed. Many patients now receive lab results within hours or just 1-2 days after their visit.

Enhanced SMS updates

All ARC patients can receive SMS updates directly related to their healthcare needs. Important messages like appointment notifications, health reminders with embedded online scheduling links, billing updates, and emergency alerts give patients easier and quicker access to care.

Norman MD is a 24/7 virtual urgent care telemedicine service

Anyone in Texas with a smart device can subscribe to NormanMD and communicate with an ARC doctor 24/7 at the touch of a button. Depending on the type of visit and a patient's needs, NormanMD can provide urgent care, enable lab testing, and even guide a patient through referrals or just provide advice to deal with a medical problem.

ARC constantly adopts new technology to continue to provide easy access to convenient and high-quality care. Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anas Daghestani says, “Central Texans respond positively to technology and engage with it at a higher rate than most communities in the U.S. We are often recognized for having the highest patient portal usage and online scheduling rates compared to other groups around the country.” These new additions have given ARC physicians and APCs more time to do what matters most -- take care of patients.