Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “prepare discharge paperwork and teaching”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today and, for AI fixes, a prompt to copy.

30 min
typically, every day
40%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

AIBest fix

Have AI write patient instructions at an easy reading level

AI writes clear handouts and instructions at a 6th-grade reading level, in other languages if needed. Keep patient details out, or use your EHR's approved AI.

Typically saves about 50% of the time5 min to set up
  1. 1Decide the topic and what the patient must do.
  2. 2Use the prompt below in an approved AI tool. Do not include names, dates of birth or other identifiers unless the tool is BAA-covered.
  3. 3Check every medical fact against your guidelines.
  4. 4Save good versions as templates in the EHR so you only do this once.
Prompt to copy
Write patient instructions about [TOPIC] for a patient who [SITUATION, e.g. is going home after...]. Reading level: 6th grade. Include: what to do, what not to do, medicines as I list them [MEDICINES AND DOSES], warning signs and when to call [PHONE] or go to the ER. Use short sentences and bullet points. Do not add medical advice I did not give; mark anything to check as [CHECK]. Then translate it into [LANGUAGE] if needed.

Tools: Your EHR's approved AI · ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot (no patient details)

Fix 2 of 2

Software feature

Use the EHR's AI chart summary before the visit

Several EHRs and ambient tools can now summarize the chart, recent results and outside records into a short pre-visit brief, so you spend less time clicking through tabs.

Typically saves about 30% of the time15 min to set up
  1. 1Ask clinical informatics which AI summary features are available in your EHR or ambient tool.
  2. 2Try it on your next clinic day for each patient.
  3. 3Check key facts against the source before acting.
  4. 4Only use tools your organization has approved and covered by a HIPAA business associate agreement (BAA) for anything with patient information.

Tools: Epic Art (AI chart summaries) · Oracle Health Clinical AI Agent · Microsoft Dragon Copilot · Abridge

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

Nurse

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

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Other common tasks for Nurses