Sutter Health Integrates AI Decision Support Into Epic EHR Workflows

The platform, developed in collaboration with OpenEvidence, will launch within the health system’s Epic EHR environment.

Sutter Health is integrating an artificial intelligence-powered medical search and decision support platform into its electronic health record workflows, enabling physicians to access updated clinical evidence during patient care.

The platform, developed in collaboration with OpenEvidence, will launch within the health system’s Epic EHR environment.

The tool allows clinicians to use natural language queries to search for current care guidelines, peer-reviewed studies, and other evidence-based information directly within the EHR. According to the organizations, the platform is designed to support quality and safety standards while streamlining access to relevant clinical data at the point of care.

Laura Wilt, chief digital officer at Sutter Health, said the initiative aligns with the system’s broader strategy to strengthen clinical support through digital tools. “Digital innovation plays a central role in our work to build a more connected, proactive and sustainable healthcare system,” Wilt said in a statement.

Dr. Ashley Beecy, Sutter Health’s chief AI officer, added that incorporating current evidence into clinical decision-making benefits patient care. “Patients benefit when providers have the most current and relevant evidence incorporated into clinical decision-making,” she said.

The integration builds on Sutter Health’s earlier adoption of generative AI technologies. Two years ago, the California-based not-for-profit system began using generative AI tools aimed at reducing clinician burnout and supporting organizational sustainability, according to prior statements from its leadership.

Clinical decision support systems have long been used to improve diagnostic accuracy and resource utilization. Recent research suggests that newer generative AI technologies may further enhance performance when combined with established tools.

In a yearlong study conducted by Mass General Brigham, researchers compared two large language models — OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Google’s Gemini 1.5 — with the health system’s diagnostic decision support system, DXplain. While the traditional system demonstrated stronger diagnostic accuracy, researchers concluded that pairing large language models with established decision support platforms could improve overall clinical effectiveness.

The Sutter Health integration reflects a broader industry effort to embed AI-driven tools directly into clinical workflows rather than deploying them as standalone applications.

Stay tuned for more such updates on Digital Health News