Atlantic Health cuts colonoscopy cancellations with AI calls

Atlantic Health cuts colonoscopy cancellations with AI calls

Atlantic Health in Morristown, New Jersey has deployed AI-powered voice agents to guide patients through colonoscopy preparation, addressing a persistent barrier to colorectal cancer screening that contributes to more than 55,000 expected U.S. deaths in 2026.

The health system partnered with Artera to create automated phone outreach that contacts patients one week before their procedures. The AI agent verifies identity, confirms appointments, reminds patients to pick up prescriptions, and answers questions drawn from a proprietary knowledge base built around more than 80 frequently asked questions approved by clinical leadership.

Why it matters

Nearly one-third of eligible adults skip recommended colorectal cancer screening despite 90% survival rates when detected early. Preparation confusion drives last-minute cancellations that waste clinical capacity and leave screening gaps unfilled. Automating patient education at scale could help health systems close preventive care gaps while reducing administrative burden on staff.

Pilot results show engagement and efficiency gains

Atlantic Health tested the system against a control group receiving standard outreach. In the first 30 days, 43% of patients contacted by the AI agent answered and confirmed their identities. Thirty-nine percent confirmed appointments, and 18% asked questions during the call.

"We were genuinely surprised that so many patients engaged with the agent," said Ravish Parekh, MD, a gastroenterologist with Atlantic Health. "We didn't expect that. We thought they would just confirm and hang up, but now 18% of the patients contacted by the AI agent ask questions."

Cancellation rates declined, though Atlantic Health is still evaluating final figures. The health system estimates the technology reduced staff time managing outreach calls by 39%, freeing care teams for more complex scheduling and patient needs.

Standardizing instructions across facilities

Before the AI deployment, colonoscopy preparation instructions varied across Atlantic Health's hospitals and outpatient locations depending on which staff member delivered them. The AI system now provides uniform, clinically approved messaging throughout the organization.

The agent speaks multiple languages and documents all interactions in Epic, ensuring care teams know who was reached, what questions arose, and who requires follow-up. Atlantic Health reviews patient conversations to identify new questions and expand the knowledge base accordingly.

Parekh noted the system has surfaced unexpected questions about details like whether patients can wear dentures or hearing aids during procedures. Some patients also appear more comfortable asking sensitive questions to an AI agent than to human staff.

Expansion plans beyond gastroenterology

Atlantic Health is exploring how to apply the technology to post-procedure follow-up calls and other areas of gastroenterology where manual processes currently handle routine patient questions. The approach could extend to other specialties facing similar challenges with patient preparation and adherence.

The initiative is part of Atlantic Health's participation in the AMA Health System Member Program. These details were first reported by the American Medical Association.