Mercy and Microsoft Partner to Empower Nurses with Ambient AI
Nurses are the backbone of healthcare, yet administrative workloads and staffing shortages continue to strain the profession. To help address this, Mercy, one of the largest U.S. health systems serving millions of patients across the Midwest, has partnered with Microsoft to introduce a nurse-focused ambient AI solution that reduces documentation burden and restores time for patient care.
Built on Microsoft’s ‘Dragon Copilot’ platform, the solution captures and structures voice-based clinical observations directly within the electronic health record (EHR). With patient consent, the system listens during nurse-patient interactions, transcribes key details, and enables quick review and approval, streamlining the process without disrupting care.
A Smarter, More Human Workflow
Unlike traditional tools that require constant typing or manual notetaking, the ambient AI system works naturally in the background. Nurses can narrate their care delivery as they move through a shift, while the AI transcribes and organizes their input in real time. This approach supports a more conversational, efficient, and patient-centered workflow.
Early pilots across Mercy hospitals in Missouri and Arkansas have already shown measurable results, including reduced overtime, faster documentation turnaround, and higher patient satisfaction. According to Mercy’s data, nurses using the AI platform saved up to 24 minutes per shift, saw a 29% drop in incremental overtime, and contributed to a 4.5% increase in patient satisfaction scores.
Key Capabilities & Benefits
- Ambient Listening & Capture: With patient consent, the system listens to nurse-patient interactions and converts verbal observations into documentation for the electronic health record (EHR).
- Real-time Narration and Input: Nurses narrate care delivery as they work; the AI transforms those narrations into structured flow sheet documentation, which the nurse reviews, edits, and submits.
- Workflow-embedded AI: Beyond documentation, the system provides access to trusted clinical content and integrates task automation, enabling nurses to reference evidence-based resources and reduce clicks.
A Look Ahead and How Queue Associates Can Help
The Mercy–Microsoft partnership demonstrates how human-centered AI can improve efficiency while enhancing clinician satisfaction and patient trust. By embedding AI into clinical workflows, healthcare organizations can shift the focus back to what matters most: quality patient care.
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner with deep expertise in Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and Azure, Queue Associates helps healthcare organizations modernize clinical and operational systems securely and at scale. From workflow automation to AI-driven analytics, Queue supports digital transformation that enhances both clinician efficiency and patient outcomes.
To explore how Microsoft’s ambient AI technologies can integrate with your existing systems and care models, contact Queue Associates today.
