Microsoft and Mercy, a healthcare system, have partnered to integrate generative AI technology via Azure OpenAI Service. This collaboration enables patients to access healthcare information, schedule appointments, and understand lab results efficiently. Mercy employees benefit from a chatbot that provides HR-related information. The initiative reflects a larger trend in Microsoft’s healthcare partnerships, emphasizing the application of AI to improve patient care, streamline administrative tasks, and promote health equity, demonstrating Microsoft’s commitment to innovative healthcare solutions.
Mercy, a multistate healthcare system, has partnered with Microsoft in a long-term collaboration to enhance patient care and streamline employee services. Through Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service, Mercy integrates generative AI technology into its operations. This innovation allows patients to receive answers to healthcare inquiries, schedule appointments, and understand lab results more effectively.
Patients benefit from the generative AI’s assistance, enabling them to navigate healthcare-related questions and appointment scheduling efficiently. Additionally, Mercy’s employees have access to a chatbot that provides information on the health system’s policies, procedures, and HR-related inquiries such as benefits.
Joe Kelly, Mercy’s executive vice president of transformation and business development officer, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration’s potential to improve patient care in real time. The partnership’s investments in Microsoft’s secure cloud infrastructure have laid the foundation for predictive, proactive, and personalized care experiences.
This initiative aligns with a larger trend in the healthcare industry, where Microsoft has been actively collaborating with institutions to leverage AI technology for various applications. Recently, Mayo Clinic joined Microsoft’s 365 Copilot Early Access Program, integrating AI into its systems to enhance productivity and reduce administrative tasks. Moreover, Microsoft’s five-year partnership with Duke Health focuses on utilizing generative AI and cloud technology to advance healthcare research, education, and promote health equity. Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing healthcare extends to collaborations with health insurer Blue Shield of California, telehealth platform Teladoc Health, and speech analysis software company Canary Speech, showcasing its dedication to advancing healthcare solutions through cutting-edge technologies.
