Sentara Deploys AI Tool Regard Across All 12 Hospitals
Virginia-based nonprofit Sentara has rolled out Regard, an AI system that integrates with electronic health records, across all 12 of its hospitals to assist with patient monitoring and discharge planning. The tool helps physicians and case managers quickly parse admission charts, monitoring notes and medical histories to flag new or worsening symptoms earlier and start discharge and follow-up planning at admission rather than at the time of medical clearance. Sentara estimates the tool could save roughly 90,000 staff hours, though executives say the figure is a forecast based on unconfirmed pilot data and that no case manager jobs will be cut. The rollout comes as some Virginia hospitals have trimmed staff and services amid funding pressures tied to recent federal reconciliation legislation affecting Medicaid coverage.