The report, titled AI Starts With What Leaders Build, analyzed 11 digital-footprint measures across a diverse range of facilities. Data indicates that 30 of 32 statistically significant findings favored increased digital spending, with established enterprise systems—such as electronic health records and revenue-cycle platforms—providing the most consistent performance gains. These core systems showed performance differences ranging from 26% to 38%.

Artificial intelligence, however, presents a more complex picture. While AI adoption correlates with patient satisfaction at a general level, those gains vanish when comparing hospitals of similar size. Furthermore, the study found no statistical evidence that AI currently improves operational efficiency. Tessa Misiaszek, President of Leadership & Advisory Solutions at AMN Healthcare, emphasizes that technology must be paired with disciplined governance and workforce integration to provide tangible value.

Executives interviewed for the study cautioned against overextending institutional capacity. Among midsize hospitals, high-intensity transformation efforts were actually linked to decreased efficiency, suggesting that implementation speed can outpace an organization’s ability to manage change. To navigate this, the firm proposes an eight-point model focused on leadership, adaptability, and continuous learning to ensure that new tools serve the workforce rather than disrupt it.