Humanizing the pediatric intensive care unit through new technologies and artificial intelligence

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine
• Health Informatics
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Background:

• The integration of new technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) presents opportunities to transform healthcare delivery.
• Enhancing the humanization of care within pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) is a critical consideration alongside technological advancements.
• Professional burnout among healthcare providers is a significant concern in high-stress environments like PICUs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a narrative review on the potential impact of new technologies and AI on healthcare delivery and care humanization in PICUs.
• To explore the challenges and ethical considerations associated with implementing these technologies in intensive care settings.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective narrative review was conducted focusing on electronic health records (EHRs), AI, and intensive care.
• Discussion addressed implementation challenges in three key domains: EHRs/clinical information systems, AI solutions in ICUs, and ethical/liability issues.

Main Results:

• Digital tools, such as automated transcription and physiological parameter recording, show potential in reducing healthcare professional burnout.
• Currently, no validated predictive artificial intelligence solutions are implemented in intensive care units.
• Inter-institutional collaboration is crucial for validating clinical decision-support solutions.

Conclusions:

• While digital solutions offer promise for mitigating burnout, validated AI predictive tools for PICUs are still under development.
• Addressing ethical conflicts and liability issues is paramount for the successful integration of AI in intensive care.
• Collaborative efforts among institutions are essential to validate and implement effective AI-driven clinical decision support systems.