Episode #
50
Treat the Patient, Not the Alert: AI, Alert Fatigue, and Nursing Decision Support
AI can identify a patient at risk. But what happens when the nurse receiving the alert is already caring for another patient?
As hospitals continue adopting AI-powered clinical decision support tools, nursing leaders face a practical challenge: identifying risk is only part of the equation. Acting on it requires people, workflows, communication, and clinical judgment.
In this episode of Beyond the Blueprint, Gregg Malkary is joined by Daniel Gracie, Carolyn S. Harmon, and Troy Seagondollar to explore how AI-driven alerts intersect with the realities of nursing practice. The conversation examines alert fatigue, cognitive overload, accountability, workflow design, and the limits of technology when resources and staffing remain constrained.
The discussion also explores why AI should support -- not replace -- clinical judgment, how poorly designed workflows can undermine even the most advanced tools, and what healthcare organizations should consider before introducing new AI-driven alerts into patient care environments.
Whether you're a nursing leader, informatics professional, healthcare executive, or technology innovator, this conversation offers a grounded look at what it takes to translate AI insights into meaningful action at the bedside.
EPISODE GUESTS

Carolyn S. Harmon
University of South Carolina
Professor/Director of Healthcare Leadership and Nursing Informatics

Daniel Gracie
Medical University of South Carolina
Epic Platform Analytics Manager

Troy Seagondollar
Kaiser Permanente
Certified Informatics Nurse Specialist
