Penn State Health Implements AI-Driven Virtual ICU to Lessen Physician Burnout

The health system collaborated with an artificial intelligence-focused company to address provider shortages and capacity management issues through a virtual ICU. Aiming to address the problems resulting from clinician shortages and capacity issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn State Health has partnered with CLEW Medical to launch a virtual intensive care unit (vICU) powered by an artificial intelligence (AI) cloud-based platform. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for hospital beds increased dramatically, as did the need for provider assistance. This has led to high levels of physician burnout and large numbers of healthcare workers quitting their jobs. Penn State Health provides care to patients and communities in 29 central Pennsylvania counties. It includes five hospitals and more than 3,000 physicians and direct care providers at 90-plus medical offices.