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AI could analyze patient flow over any given pe-
riod of time and adjust staff schedules to meet
changing demand and prevent overbooking or
underutilization of practice resources.
Another area where AI could be useful
is inventory management. These types of sys-
tems are already being used in other industries,
but how would they work for an ophthalmic
practice?
One way is through real-time stock manage-
ment. Using an AI system, staff would be able
to immediately know when certain items are
running low. This type of system could then be
configured to either alert staff or automatically
reorder items that are at critical levels. As with
other types of AI, predictive analytics can also
monitor use over time to forecast when certain
items are in demand, then plan an order sched-
ule that will prevent over- or understocking. It
can even be used to keep track of the expiration
dates on some items to ensure compliance with
health regulations.
Being able to monitor and track every as-
pect of inventory can provide a more timely and
precise ordering of supplies that will optimize
stock levels and free up funds for use elsewhere
in the practice.
Enhancing communication for
patients and staff
The use of AI chatbots on websites or over the
phone is already being widely used in business.
The applications for ophthalmic clinics are
much the same as in other industries. These
chatbots can assist patients with scheduling,
answer common questions, and recommend
educational resources on the practice website
based on the patient's condition.
Moving beyond chatbots, AI is now being
tested in some ophthalmic practices to function
as the scribe during an examination or consulta-
tion with a patient. It works by having a trained
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