Providers’ Experience with Artificial Intelligence-Based System During the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND: As the pandemic continues to spread worldwide, many of healthcare facilities are exploring new methods to keep their patients safe from potential hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) during the pandemic. This study explored the attitudes about artificial intelligence (AI) among providers who utilized AI-based hand hygiene monitoring system (HHMS) at a rural medical center during the pandemic. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 48 healthcare providers at a rural medical center in north Texas, with a 75% percent response rate (n = 36). The survey collected information on providers attitudes about AI-based HHMS use. In addition, the study also examined the relationship between provider’s well-being and the level of satisfaction with the AI-based HHMS use. The lessons learned from this study will be used to determine important factors to consider when attempting to advance and expand AI technologies in rural healthcare settings. RESULTS: Results revealed that the integration of AI technology within the existing electronic health record (EHR) system remains a challenge for many providers. Plus, the lack of user-centered design approaches to incorporate the AI tool into existing workflows has reduced providers satisfaction about the new technology. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that although AI technology has great promise to reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), successfully implement of an AI-based tool that meets the expectations of users requires significant levels of consolidation to ensure that it fits within the existing workflows and is accepted by users. KEY MESSAGES: • AI application indirectly affects the well-being of providers, particularly in rural healthcare settings. • A better AI application interface design that meets the expectations of providers is needed.