Google Cloud has unveiled new generative AI features within its Vertex AI Search for healthcare at HIMSS25, including Visual Q&A that enables users to analyze tables, charts, and diagrams. The integration of Gemini 2.0 allows the processing of images and audio, enhancing the search capabilities for healthcare professionals by facilitating access to diverse patient data. With a focus on navigating complex medical information, healthcare providers can input visual content directly, which is essential as approximately 90% of health data is in image form. These advancements improve the accuracy and relevance of search results, aiding clinicians in effectively analyzing patient conditions and trends.

Google Cloud Unveils AI-Powered Search Revolution for Healthcare at HIMSS25 Healthcare IT News

The closure of over 500 pediatric units in the U.S. from 2008 to 2022 raised concerns about pediatric care access, but Hutchinson Regional Medical Center in Kansas has reopened its pediatric unit, which closed in December 2022. Driven by local pediatricians' advocacy and increased demand for pediatric care due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 14-bed unit reopened on January 6, 2025, with support from Children's Hospital Colorado and Wesley Children's Hospital. Chief Nursing Officer Jill White noted staffing challenges during the pandemic, but hospital leadership expressed pride in the effort required to bring the unit back into operation.

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center Reopens Pediatric Unit Amid Nationwide Closures Becker's Hospital Review

In his article, Spencer Dorn, Vice Chair and Professor of Medicine at UNC, discusses the practical applications of AI in healthcare, specifically highlighting the effectiveness of natural language processing (NLP) for message classification over generative AI in drafting responses. He notes that the surge in patient portal messages during the pandemic has led to inefficiencies, particularly due to the misrouting of communications, which results in wasted time and effort. Dorn emphasizes that administrative tasks should be handled by designated team members rather than physicians, and introduces a new NLP model from Switchboard, MD, and Emory University that accurately categorizes messages to improve routing efficiency and address these communication challenges.

AI Revolutionizes Healthcare Communication with Smart Message Routing Solutions LinkedIn

At the 2025 AMA State Advocacy Summit, Tim Storey, CEO of the National Conference of State Legislatures, underscored the rising significance of artificial intelligence (AI) in policy discussions, particularly in healthcare. The American Medical Association is working with legislators to ensure that AI technologies enhance patient care while allowing physicians to participate in key decision-making. As states propose numerous AI-related bills, including over a dozen in early 2025, the focus is on transparency, non-discrimination, and regulation of clinical decision-making. Concerns were raised about the risks of automated decision-making affecting individual patient care, as several states, such as California and Colorado, have already enacted laws to promote transparency and consumer protection in AI healthcare applications.

AI Takes Center Stage in Healthcare Legislation at AMA Summit AMA