In Practice: Home in Time for Dinner with Keith M. Nord, MD

Dr. Keith M. Nord, an orthopedic hand surgeon in Jackson, Tennessee, shares his transformative experience with Ambient Assist, an AI-powered clinical documentation tool, in this episode of In Practice. Prior to adopting the technology, Dr. Nord struggled with the immense burden of post-clinic documentation, spending up to two hours daily dictating notes after seeing 50 patients, often arriving home late. He explored scribes but found them costly and unsustainable due to turnover. After initial skepticism, he adopted Ambient Assist, which allowed him to focus entirely on patients during visits while the AI captured and structured clinical notes in real time. The result was dramatic: he regained 90–120 minutes per day, enabling him to see five additional patients daily and consistently leave clinic by 5 p.m. to be home for dinner with his family. Beyond time savings, he reports a significant drop in insurance denial rates—attributed to more accurate, detailed documentation—and improved note quality that has been praised by consulting providers. He also highlights the tool’s evolving capabilities, including smart ICD-10 code suggestions, automated x-ray interpretation notes, and future potential for wearable AI integration. Dr. Nord encourages skeptical providers to try the tool, emphasizing its flexibility, ease of use, and measurable downstream benefits in billing, efficiency, and workflow harmony. The episode underscores how AI is not replacing clinicians but empowering them to reclaim time, reduce burnout, and enhance care quality. Dr. Nord’s story illustrates the ripple effect of automation: faster patient throughput, reduced administrative strain on staff, improved patient satisfaction, and stronger financial outcomes. His practice now operates efficiently with just one LPN, demonstrating that AI can enable leaner staffing without sacrificing care. The conversation also touches on the importance of change management, patient acceptance (which has been overwhelmingly positive), and the long-term value of investing in AI tools that integrate seamlessly into existing workflows. Ultimately, this episode serves as a compelling case study in how clinical AI can drive meaningful, sustainable transformation in ambulatory care.