Atlantic Health Deploys AI to Boost Colonoscopy Screening Rates

The health system partners with Artera to simplify patient outreach and prep guidance for life-saving cancer screenings.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:35am

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A highly detailed, translucent X-ray photograph of the internal structure of a human colon, glowing with a faint blue-green light against a dark background, conceptually representing the importance of colorectal cancer screening.Innovative AI technology helps Atlantic Health streamline the colonoscopy process, improving access to this potentially life-saving cancer screening.Morristown Today

Atlantic Health has implemented artificial intelligence technology to improve colonoscopy screening rates and patient engagement, aiming to address gaps in preventive care for colorectal cancer. The health system partnered with Artera to deploy AI-powered agents that assist with patient outreach, appointment confirmations and preparation guidance for colonoscopy procedures.

Why it matters

Colorectal cancer is expected to cause more than 55,000 deaths in the United States in 2026, but early detection has a survival rate exceeding 90%. However, many eligible adults remain unscreened, often due to the complexity of preparation requirements. Atlantic Health's AI-powered initiative aims to simplify the process and improve patient follow-through for this potentially life-saving procedure.

The details

The AI system is designed to contact patients about a week before their appointments, providing reminders, answering common questions and guiding them through preparation steps. The system can respond in multiple languages and is programmed using Atlantic Health's internal clinical guidelines. Within the first 30 days of implementation, officials reported that 43% of patients contacted by the AI system answered calls and confirmed their identities, while 39% confirmed they would attend their scheduled appointments. About 7% used the system to ask questions about the procedure.

  • Atlantic Health implemented the AI technology in early 2026.

The players

Atlantic Health

A health system that has implemented artificial intelligence technology to improve colonoscopy screening rates and patient engagement.

Artera

A company that partnered with Atlantic Health to deploy the AI-powered agents assisting with patient outreach and preparation guidance.

Ravish Parekh, MD

A gastroenterologist with Atlantic Health who stated that the AI system is designed to simplify the colonoscopy process and improve patient adherence.

Orla Seidel

The Director of Digital Marketing at Atlantic Health who said the technology has reduced staff workload and allowed clinical teams to focus more on direct patient care.

Tom McIntyre

The President of Artera, who said this initiative is a prime example of how agentic AI can improve the patient journey, increase efficiency, and close care gaps.

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What they’re saying

“We have, within our power, the ability to protect many patients from colorectal cancer, but that starts with screenings, specifically with a colonoscopy. By delivering personalized, easy-to-understand guidance, we hope to see better patient adherence and more effective exams. This initiative highlights Atlantic Health's dedication to patient-centered care through innovation.”

— Ravish Parekh, MD, Gastroenterologist, Atlantic Health

“Colonoscopy prep is uniquely complex – every patient's journey is different, and there are so many steps to complete before the procedure. After reviewing our internal processes and patient feedback, it was clear there was a real opportunity to improve the experience. We are always striving to expand convenient access to the highest quality care. This isn't just about efficiency; it's about making sure our patients get to the finish line of this potentially life-saving procedure.”

— Orla Seidel, Director of Digital Marketing, Atlantic Health

“As a pioneer adopter of agentic AI in healthcare and an Artera partner for more than six years, Atlantic Health recognizes that a modern patient journey requires modern, AI-driven solutions to solve decades-old challenges. This is a prime example of agentic AI in practice: satisfied patients, better efficiency, and closed care gaps. By automating the complexities of the colonoscopy journey, we are helping clinicians return to the work they love while no patient falls through the cracks.”

— Tom McIntyre, President, Artera

What’s next

Atlantic Health plans to continue monitoring the performance of the AI-powered patient outreach and engagement system, with the goal of expanding the technology to support other preventive care initiatives across the health system.

The takeaway

This AI-driven initiative by Atlantic Health demonstrates how innovative technology can be leveraged to improve access to critical preventive health screenings, ultimately helping to save lives by increasing early detection of colorectal cancer. The system's ability to provide personalized guidance and reduce administrative burdens for both patients and staff highlights the potential for AI to transform the healthcare experience.