CHIME releases AI Principles

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) has released its first ever set of AI principles to guide the ethical and responsible use of AI in healthcare. The college, which represents over 5,000 digital health leaders across 60 countries, announced that these principles are designed to improve patient care and support clinicians while mitigating risks and ensuring equitable outcomes for all patients. The guidelines address crucial aspects such as transparency, accountability, privacy, and the broader impact of AI on society. 

“AI has the potential to revolutionize patient care and healthcare operations, but it must be implemented thoughtfully to ensure it enhances, rather than compromises, patient safety,” said Russ P. Branzell, CHCIO, LCHIME, President and CEO of CHIME in a statement. “Our principles provide a roadmap for achieving this balance, supporting both innovation and rigorous oversight.”

CHIME’s AI Principles

Principle 1: Patient Safety

CHIME emphasizes that unlike other sectors leveraging AI, the healthcare industry needs to make additional considerations to promote and ensure beneficial patient outcomes. 

Principle 2: Administrative Efficiencies

HCOs should embrace, and even prioritize, AI tools to improve administrative efficiencies which will lead to significant savings in cost and time. 

Principle 3: Regulatory Oversight

Regulatory oversight is necessary but should avoid creating redundant mandates or increasing administrative burdens on healthcare providers. 

Principle 4: Innovation & Research

AI technology requires comprehensive research, shared definitions, and innovation partnerships to support healthcare. The federal government should collaborate with the healthcare industry to establish pilot-tested AI use cases, develop standardized AI definitions, and create a validation process for algorithms.

Principle 5: Discrimination, Bias & Equity

Efforts must be made to identify and mitigate biases in AI systems to ensure that these technologies promote fairness and equity across all patient populations.

Principle 6: Affordability

Most providers lack the resources to adopt advanced AI tools. CHIME highlights the need for federal support to help under-resourced providers adopt AI and prevent widening the digital divide, especially for patients in underserved areas.

Principle 7: Privacy

Robust privacy and security measures are essential to protect patient data, including encryption, secure storage, and strict access controls. 

Principle 8: Cybersecurity

To keep AI in healthcare secure, the federal government, third-party providers, and healthcare organizations must collaborate to ensure adherence to best cybersecurity practices. 

Principle 9: High-Speed Broadband

As AI innovation grows, the necessary infrastructure, including widespread broadband access, is essential to support it. Expanding nationwide high-speed broadband is crucial for harnessing AI tools, reducing healthcare disparities, and preventing the digital divide from worsening.

Principle 10: Education & Workforce

To maximize the amount of the data we leverage through AI, a well-trained workforce is essential. Tech companies, educators, and policymakers should manage the shifting demands in labor to prevent job displacement. 

By adhering to these guidelines, healthcare organizations can navigate the complexities of AI integration while upholding the highest standards of patient care and ethical conduct. Embracing these principles not only fosters trust in AI technologies but also ensures that AI advancements contribute positively to the well-being of all patients.

“As the current Chair of the CHIME Board of Trustees, I believe that our AI principles are pivotal for the healthcare sector,” said Scott MacLean, CHCIO, FCHIME, LCHIME, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at MedStar Health, who recently testified before the House to dissect the aftermath of the Change Healthcare cyberattack.

 “These principles provide a framework that ensures patient safety, enhances administrative efficiencies, and strengthens cybersecurity, all while fostering innovation and addressing critical issues like discrimination and equity in healthcare. By utilizing them, we can improve healthcare through the safe, responsible use of AI tools – ultimately leading to better outcomes for providers and patients alike. CHIME members embrace AI as a force for good. By considering and using our AI principles, we can enhance patient care, empower clinicians, and contribute to healthier communities.”