The Permanente Medical Group's Ambient AI Scribes Save an Estimated 15,791 Hours Across 2.5 Million Patient Encounters

The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG) rolled out ambient AI scribes in late 2023 to tackle documentation burden, and a follow-up analysis in NEJM Catalyst found that over the first year they saved physicians an estimated 15,791 hours of documentation time, equal to 1,794 eight-hour workdays, the American Medical Association reported in June 2025. The findings built on a 10-week pilot study published earlier in 2024. The scribes passively capture patient-physician conversations and produce draft clinical notes that physicians edit; they do not make diagnoses or treatment suggestions. During the 63-week evaluation from October 2023 to December 2024, 7,260 Permanente physicians used the technology across 2,576,627 patient encounters. Compared with non-users, adopters saw significant reductions in after-hours "pajama time", work outside 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., time in notes and time in orders, with a small increase in in-basket time. Physicians in the top third of usage accounted for 89% of activations and saved more than twice as much time per note as lower-frequency users. Usage stayed consistent when TPMG switched from its initial scribe vendor to a new one as part of an enterprise-wide rollout. Of physicians surveyed, 84% reported a positive effect on communication with patients and 82% said their overall work satisfaction improved; adoption was highest in departments with heavy documentation, such as mental health, primary care and emergency medicine. Among patients, 47% said their doctor spent less time looking at the computer, 39% said the doctor spent more time speaking with them, and 56% reported a positive impact on the quality of their visit, with none reporting a negative one. "We have an opportunity and obligation to take advantage of innovative AI that improves patient care and augments our physicians' capabilities, while supporting their wellness," said Kristine Lee, MD, analysis co-author and TPMG associate executive director of virtual medicine and technology.