The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) has introduced its new Digital Teammate, an innovative, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital assistant that is designed to provide human-like interactions with staff, patients and visitors. During an initial test phase, the Digital Teammate will be able to answer questions about TOH's new campus in French or English.
“Our goals for innovation at The Ottawa Hospital are to improve patient care, create a better experience for patients and staff and enhance value in the health system," said Kara Kitts, Director of Digital Innovation at The Ottawa Hospital. “The Digital Teammate has the potential to reduce administrative tasks for our staff and enhance the patient experience."
The Teammate is being tested in stages, so improvements can be made before it is fully implemented. Following an interaction with the Digital Teammate, people will be invited to provide feedback about their experience, which will inform the next round of testing and project development.
As of June 11, the Digital Teammate is available 24/7 for the next two weeks outside the cafeteria at the Civic Campus, in the Critical Care Wing lobby at the General Campus, and near the main entrance at the Riverside Campus.
In the future, TOH, in collaboration with Deloitte Canada, will explore whether the Teammate can further help patients by answering questions, providing directions, and sharing helpful resources.
For more information about the Digital Teammate and AI in health care, please visit this FAQ page.