Desert View Launches AI Phone Support, Extends Post Hospital Care

Desert View Hospital is rolling out a new post discharge phone support system that will use a generative artificial intelligence assistant named Daisy to call recently discharged patients. Developed by Hippocratic AI, Daisy will review discharge instructions, ask about any new or worsening symptoms, and offer reassurance during the early days of recovery. The hospital said calls will begin in the coming weeks and will go to some patients as part of routine patient follow up.

Hospital leaders emphasized that Daisy is intended to extend the reach of local care teams rather than replace them. If a patient expresses concern or needs help at any point, the system will immediately transfer the call to a human nurse to ensure continuity of care. The AI will identify itself as calling on behalf of Desert View Hospital, and it will only request a date of birth for verification. Short pauses between questions are normal as the system reviews information and waits for patient responses. The hospital urged residents not to confuse these calls with spam or telemarketing.

“Growing up in a small town in Montana taught me the value of genuine connection, and that remains at the heart of how we care for patients at Desert View Hospital,” said CEO Susan Davila. “As we are introducing this new follow up system, we want our community to know that it is simply an added layer of support. Our nurses and caregivers are still here, still engaged, and still dedicated to the personal touch our patients rely on.”

For Nye County residents, the new system could improve early detection of complications and reduce the burden on limited local staff by helping nurses prioritize patients who need immediate attention. In rural settings where travel and staffing shortages can delay follow up care, timely phone outreach may lower the risk of avoidable readmissions and help patients manage recovery at home. At the same time, the introduction of AI raises questions about privacy, transparency, and equitable access for older adults and people with limited phone service or hearing challenges. Desert View Hospital says the transfer to live staff is built into the system to address urgent needs and to preserve human connection.

Residents who are unsure whether a call is legitimate or who prefer to speak directly with hospital staff can reach Desert View Hospital at 775 751 7500. The hospital framed the change as part of an effort to combine modern tools with personalized, small town care to better support patients after they leave the hospital.