Understanding operating room integration systems
Integration systems are a valuable tool for improving patient care and streamlining the workflow in the OR. With real-time access to patient information and medical equipment, improved communication between team members, and increased efficiency, they can help to reduce errors and improve patient outcomes.
In the Operating Room (OR) you will find a plethora of equipment and devices brought into the room including surgical lights, pendants, tables, monitor displays, camera systems, room lights, recording devices, and multiple mobile devices.
The surgical team is responsible for managing this equipment and keeping a patient-centric focus, including counts, patient monitoring, lighting adjustments based on surgeon preference and case types, and ensuring video displays and lighting changes are correct to verify positive patient outcomes.
A perfectly tailored integration system complements a hospital’s workflow and simplifies complexity. This article provides an overview of how these systems work, the key benefits and considerations when choosing an integration system.
What is an OR integration system?
“An OR integration system connects medical devices, room and surgical lights, and audio/video systems to one central control hub. As a result, surgical teams can easily control surgical equipment, access information and change the environment with the simple push of a button.” 1 The intended purpose is to simplify or consolidate data. It enables a single user to control all systems from a central command centre.
OR integration systems are designed to streamline the OR workflow and improve patient care by providing real-time access to patient information and media. They can be used to display a range of information, such as patient vitals, imaging studies and surgical notes on monitors in the OR.
Benefits of an OR integration system
One of the main benefits is a streamlined collaboration with up-to-date patient information between departments. This can help surgeons and other medical staff make more informed decisions about the best course of treatment for the patient, as they have immediate access to the patient’s medical history, allergies and other important information.
Another benefit of operating room integration systems is improved communication between team members in the OR. With these systems, doctors and nurses can easily share information and communicate with each other during surgery, which can help reduce the risk of errors and improve patient outcomes.
OR integration systems can also improve efficiency in your OR. You can track medical supplies and equipment use, helping reduce waste and minimise risks. Additionally, they can help streamline documentation processes by allowing electronic records and updating patient information in real-time, rather than manually updating paper records.
Key considerations when choosing an integration system
One of the key considerations when choosing an integration system is ensuring it's user-friendly and easy to use for the entire surgical team. It's critical that the system you invest in allows vendor neutrality which allows proprietary devices to be accessed from one location. In addition, it is crucial to ensure that the system is reliable and secure, as it will handle sensitive patient information.
Implementing an integration system can be a significant investment for your hospital. Still, the long-term benefits of improved patient care, increased efficiency, and reduced errors make it a worthwhile investment. Many hospitals are finding that OR integration systems can help them improve the overall quality of care.
To find out more about our digital integration systems, please get in touch with our team.
Originally published by Skytron.
