Ambient speech technology is transforming medical documentation and patient care by using AI to record, transcribe and summarise medical conversations in real-time.
Innovative AI-driven tools like ambient speech are revolutionising the way nurses engage with patients. Utilising intelligent speech recognition, neural networks, deep learning technology and AI enables nurses to dictate important medical notes, appointments, meetings and reports – allowing for more focused, empathetic care while addressing the challenges around administrative burden within the healthcare industry.
As we get further into 2025 – which is poised to be a turning point in NHS digital-transformation journeys – ambient speech is going to continue to play a major role in enhancing both the quality of patient care and the workflows of nursing professionals.
Our blog will explore how ambient speech can support nurses, and how our speech recognition solutions are aiding documentation processes in the healthcare industry.
Ambient speech applications in nursing
- Patient-nurse interactions
Ambient speech can capture and transcribe conversations between nurses and patients – picking up vital information such as patient concerns, questions raised and any solutions that are suggested in an appointment. With the ambient speech tool working in the background, nurses can focus entirely on the patient without the distraction of manual note-taking.
- Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings
Manual minute-taking in MDT meetings, especially for complex patient cases, can be incredibly slow-paced and large discussions among multiple specialisms can leave room for missed notes and human error. Ambient speech technology can record and transcribe these discussions among various healthcare professionals, ensuring accurate and comprehensive reporting of care plans.
- Patient education
When explaining complicated medical information or discharge instructions, ambient speech technology can provide detailed summaries for patients to read later on, to help their understanding and compliance with the care plan.
How does ambient speech help nursing practice?
Reduced administrative burden: Nurses can dedicate more time to direct patient care instead of documentation, helping to reduce burnout.
Improved documentation accuracy: Real-time transcription and AI-assisted summarisation can lead to more precise patient records.
Enhanced patient engagement: With less focus on manual documentation, nurses can spend more time building rapport and providing a better experience for the patient which is likely to boost patient engagement too.
Back in February, we participated in the Innovation Through Co-Creation: AI in the Consultation Room event, led by mProve ziekenhuizen. This initiative brings together innovative companies and healthcare professionals to explore and develop the role of AI in the consultation room. We strongly believe in co-creation and are proud to contribute to this process.
At the event, we had the chance to share our latest AI innovation news with clinicians and nurses who were eager to explore how our solutions can reduce administration burden and help them put their hours back into patient care and engagement. Let’s clear up a few of the fantastic questions they had!
Choosing the right microphone for ambient speech in nursing
The technology behind modern ambient speech recognition has significantly improved, allowing it to perform well even with budget-friendly recording devices. However, for optimal performance in a healthcare setting, we advise using a device that captures sound from the entire room, particularly when a physical examination occurs at a distance from the primary conversation area.
While cheaper microphones can capture basic recordings, investing in a slightly higher-quality device will enhance the clarity and accuracy of recorded speech. This ultimately improves the system’s output and reduces the need for corrections.
We also recommend using a microphone that has playback functionality. Having the ability for audio feedback when starting and ending recording, warnings and available results directly within the device is a practical advantage that eliminates the need for separate equipment.
How ambient speech handles speech recognition, accents and dialects, and disturbances
The latest speech recognition engines are highly robust, sophisticated and capable of accurately processing various accents and nuances. At G2 Speech, we have almost 30 years of experience with different dialects, and we are used to users from different countries dictating in languages that aren’t their mother tongue. The AI systems are designed to, and are proven to, handle diverse speech patterns effectively with no voice training required.
With interruptions and disturbances likely in consultations and other healthcare settings, nurses can simply use a voice command to tell the AI system when to pause and resume the conversation recording. While it can handle and filter out most disturbances, it is better to get into the habit of voice commanding pauses to avoid confusion.
The role of user adaptation in AI effectiveness
Ultimately, while the ambient speech tool can function effectively, regardless of user behaviour, those who adapt to the technology will achieve superior results. Users who understand and leverage the system’s strengths will produce more precise documentation with fewer corrections needed.
AI will not replace healthcare professionals and nurses, but those who effectively utilise and embrace AI technology will stay ahead of the curve!
How G2 Speech’s ambient speech and new AI innovations are supporting nursing professionals
For almost 30 years, we have been at the forefront of developing innovative digital solutions, tailored specifically for the healthcare sector – addressing the unique needs of doctors, clinicians and nurses. Throughout this time, we have refined and advanced our technology to meet the evolving demands of the nursing and healthcare industry.
We are excited to unveil our most sophisticated AI solutions – built on years of experience, knowledge and expertise – designed to reshape nursing documentation and patient care.
We are utilising the power of Large Language Models (LLMs), neural networks and deep learning technology to create cutting-edge ambient speech technology and other AI innovations – more on these coming soon!
Above all, we are striving to continue alleviating documentation burden for healthcare professionals in the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands – empowering them to redirect their focus from admin to what matters most; providing compassionate, hands-on patient care.
Martijn De Groot, Product Manager at G2 Speech, said: “Our ambient speech functionality is built specifically for medical specialists. It captures conversations during consultations, transcribes them instantly, and creates clear, tailored summaries that highlight important details like diagnoses, symptoms, and treatment plans. The AI is trained in medical terminology, so it’s accurate and relevant to each specialty.
“With over 25 years of experience in the medical field and speech recognition, we’re excited to help hospitals adopt AI solutions. We’re confident that we can make the process simple and effective, saving specialists’ time, reducing errors, and letting them focus on what really matters – providing great patient care.”
Request a demo with one of our experts to explore how we can support your AI-digital transformation journey this year.