Technology
Wolters Kluwer Survey Finds Broad Presence of Unsanctioned AI Tools in Hospitals and Health Systems
WALTHAM, Mass., January 22, 2026--A new survey from Wolters Kluwer Health of healthcare professionals and administrators reveals a growing trend: unauthorized AI tools and apps, known as "shadow AI," are currently being used across hospitals and health systems in the U.S., including for direct patient care. This could raise concerns about patient safety, data privacy, and regulatory compliance. According to the survey, 40% of respondents have encountered an unauthorized AI tool in their organiza
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[{"type":"image","alt":"","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"","credit":null,"className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":480,"height":320,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/business-wire.com/468d532a4ad64da8657e0e0b5e5264f8"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/k5MKY3Ee1fjSZbtAKbnmrg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/business-wire.com/468d532a4ad64da8657e0e0b5e5264f8","width":480,"height":320}},"lazy":false},{"type":"text","content":"Findings highlight need for clear governance and compliance policies to target "shadow AI" tools and applications","length":123,"tagName":"p","attribs":{}},{"type":"text","content":"WALTHAM, Mass., January 22, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new survey from Wolters Kluwer Health of healthcare professionals and administrators reveals a growing trend: unauthorized AI tools and apps, known as "shadow AI," are currently being used across hospitals and health systems in the U.S., including for direct patient care. This could raise concerns about patient safety, data privacy, and regulatory compliance. According to the survey, 40% of respondents have encountered an unauthorized AI tool in their organizations, and nearly 20% have used them.","length":564,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""Doctors and administrators are choosing AI tools for speed and workflow optimization, and when approved options aren’t available, they may be taking risks," said Yaw Fellin, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Clinical Decision Support and Provider Solutions, Wolters Kluwer Health. "Shadow AI isn’t just a technical issue; it’s a governance issue that may raise patient safety concerns. Leaders must act now to close the policy gap around AI use, develop clear compliance guidelines, and ensure that only validated, secure, enterprise-ready AI tools are used in clinical care."","length":606,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Key healthcare shadow AI survey findings:","length":41,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"list","items":[{"val":[{"type":"text","content":"Shadow AI is widespread in health systems: Forty percent of healthcare professionals have encountered unauthorized AI tools in the workplace, and nearly 20 percent admit to using them. The top reasons? Half of respondents point to a need for faster workflows. Fo...