AI ambient scribes

Northern Health (NH) is committed to leveraging innovative technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to enhance health care delivery. AI offers substantial promise to address human resource constraints, improve access to health services, and to improve efficiency in clinical practice. AI ambient scribe software tools leverage speech recognition, natural language processing, and AI to transcribe and automatically generate clinical documentation during patient encounters.

Medical staff must take care to appropriately use these tools including reviewing and editing AI-generated documentation before inclusion into digital patient records, and complying with privacy, security, and appropriate use requirements. This includes being aware of your professional obligations as set out by the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons, Doctors of BC, BC College of Nurses and Midwives, the Canadian Medical Protective Agency (see links below), and NH policy requirements within the NH Appropriate Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence policy (6-2-1-090) (NH login required).

While medical staff may choose to use other tools within their private clinical settings, only the following tools are currently approved for use in NH-operated clinical settings. In contrast to private clinics where the PIPA (Personal Information Protection Act) applies, FOIPPA (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) applies in NH-operated clinical settings. FOIPPA obligates NH to complete and address Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA) and Security Threat Risk Assessments (STRA). These assessments not only protect NH and patients, but ensure that medical staff are fulfilling their professional obligations when working in NH using AI ambient scribes.

Resources

General information and context to assist with the professional considerations and appropriate use of AI in medical practice.

• Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) at Northern Health - NH network only
• NH Appropriate Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence policy (6-2-1-090) - NH network only
• DoBC Doctors of BC - Using AI scribe technologies
• BC College of Physicians and Surgeons - Ethical principles for AI use in medicine (PDF)
• BC College of Nurses and Midwives - Using artificial intelligence in practice
• CMPA Canadian Medical Protective Association - Emergence of AI in healthcare
• CMPA Canadian Medical Protective Association - AI scribe FAQs

Get involved

• RCCbc Rural Coordination Centre of BC - AI scribe program
• Canada Health Infoway - AI scribe program

Stay informed

• AI ambient scribes software in Northern Health memo - April 14, 2025 (PDF)
• AI ambient scribes use in Northern Health FAQ's (PDF)
• Heidi AI ambient scribe approved for use in Northern Health memo - April 29, 2025 (PDF)