Artificial intelligence requires thoughtful implementation, says UCI Health expert
New tools demand good stewardship, continuous monitoring for reliability, bias
IN THE NEWS: The promise of artificial intelligence in the healthcare setting isn’t measured by speed but by what problem it will help to solve, according to Dr. Deepti Pandita, FACP, FAMIA, chief medical information officer and vice president of clinical informatics at UCI Health.
She recently spoke with Becker’s Hospital Review about the care UCI Health takes when implementing new AI tools.
“We don’t look at innovation for the sake of innovation. If there is a burning problem we need to solve, then we look at AI more thoughtfully. But everything must follow the same governance process.
“You must be good stewards of your AI product. It’s not something you just let loose in your system.”
In another Becker’s Hospital Review article, she discussed how she is ensuring AI makes patient care better rather than complicating it.
“Rather than creating entirely new roles, we believe in empowering current leaders — through targeted training and collaborative learning — to bridge the gap between algorithms and frontline care.
“This approach ensures continuity and sustainability in a field that often feels defined by disruption.”
Pandita is a national leader in the field of clinical and medical informatics and currently drives AI governance, digital transformation and clinician efficiency initiatives. Last year, she co-authored a position paper by the American College of Physicians. clarifying the organization’s position on AI technologies and providing recommendations for their use when giving care.
Her digital solutions have improved the health of communities, eased the cognitive burden of clinicians and promoted the wellness of the clinical workforce. Pandita’s work has also reduced the average patient stay in the hospital, saved costs and improved operational efficiencies. She is one of Becker's Chief Medical Information Officers to Know.
About UCI Health
UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,317-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Medical Center, its flagship hospital in Orange, Calif., the UCI Health — Irvine medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and a network of ambulatory care centers across the region. UCI Medical Center provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).