KENNESAW, GA / ACCESS Newswire / November 20, 2025 / When many people hear the term artificial intelligence, their guard goes up, questions are raised about confidentiality, integrity, and a diminished human workforce; and understandably so. The rapid growth of generative AI has sparked as much anxiety as excitement in many workforce sectors and healthcare is no exception. However, compassion, critical thinking, and human connection can never be replaced by code.
Yet, as Melinda Butler Henderson, Chief Development Officer for BenCura Rehabilitation Services, explains, there's another side to the story; one where technology enhances the human experience rather than erases it.
"There are tasks that AI assistants can perform, that ease the already overburdened load of healthcare workers," Henderson said. "When implemented responsibly, it can help clinicians spend more time on what matters most - patients."
That vision has become reality through BenCura's collaboration with Everbility, a HIPAA-compliant AI documentation assistant designed by allied health professionals to synthesize notes and write reports up to five times faster.
Enhancing the Human Connection
"Using a HIPAA-compliant software like Everbility to take notes during a patient interview allows the therapist to be hands-on; looking the patient in the eye instead of the laptop," Henderson said. "It can create a more natural, personal interaction, which helps patients feel seen and heard."
By automating portions of notetaking and data capture, therapists can focus their full attention on the person in front of them. The result: improved engagement, better documentation, and less fatigue from repetitive, time-consuming administrative tasks.
"Documentation is one of those pain points that we all know has to be done, but nobody truly loves," Henderson added with a smile. "If we can reduce that burden, we reduce burnout, and help clinicians spend more time doing, not typing."
Efficiency That Elevates Care
In skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), where Henderson spent much of her career, that efficiency directly translates into better access and outcomes.
"There were times when we were so busy with short-term rehab that long-term care residents had to wait for therapy screens or quarterly evaluations," she recalled. "If a therapist can be more efficient, they can reach those residents sooner, preventing residents from waiting for needed services."
This improved workflow doesn't just help patients; it strengthens facility performance. Faster turnaround times mean more consistent therapy delivery, better Quality Measure scores, and potentially higher CMS Star ratings.
Turning Data Into Direction
AI's real potential, Henderson emphasized, lies in the ability to analyze outcomes over time.
"If we're using AI assistants to produce reports, we can identify trends-like frequent UTIs, fall risks, or wound patterns, and act proactively," she said. "That data helps us predict, prevent, and personalize care."
These insights also empower facility leaders with evidence-based analytics that support marketing, quality improvement, and compliance reporting-turning raw data into a strategic advantage.
Accuracy, Judgment, and Accountability
While AI can enhance accuracy, Henderson cautions that human oversight remains essential.
"These tools can draft documentation, but the therapist still reviews, edits, and applies their own clinical judgment before anything becomes part of the medical record," she explained. "That ensures accuracy and accountability stay in the clinician's hands."
She also notes that AI must be used wisely:
"Artificial intelligence can hallucinate," she said. "If it's not properly trained or validated, it can produce inaccurate information; like labeling a wound ‘stage five' when only four stages exist. That's why we only use reputable, healthcare-specific platforms and maintain strict review protocols."
Collaboration, Not Replacement
Ultimately, Henderson sees AI not as a disruptor, but as a collaborator.
"Artificial intelligence can really serve as a partner," she said. "If therapists view AI as an assistant rather than a replacement, they can embrace it as a tool that supports, not substitutes their expertise."
In BenCura's approach, AI is a force multiplier for human compassion and clinical excellence.
"Technology should never take the place of judgment or empathy," Henderson concluded. "But if it affords clinicians the time and clarity to use both, that's innovation worth embracing."
About BenCura Rehabilitation Services
BenCura is a premier contract rehabilitation partner delivering high-quality physical, occupational, and speech therapy at a lower total cost of care than traditional in-house models. The company partners with acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities to combine clinical excellence, operational support, and patient-centered innovation.
Learn more at bencura.com
CONTACT:
855.423.6287
info@bencura.com
SOURCE: BenCura
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