OPERATING THEATRE TECHNOLOGY


Vital infrastructure and operating theatres are becoming increasingly complex, and we wanted to create a facility that would help clinicians make effective and informed decisions on how their technology could be configured


Guy Pomroy, Managing Director, Starkstrom


Pomroy commented that the company takes infection prevention extremely seriously, and it is at the heart of its R&D. “The coatings we use for our technologies are antimicrobial, and the surfaces of our technologies are designed to be easy to clean,” he explained. “This is a key focus area, and we are currently working with hospital IPC teams on the development of future products that will advance this further.” One of the latest developments, launched by Starkstrom


at the Infection Prevention Society’s annual conference and exhibition, is one of the most advanced UV-C disinfection robots available in the healthcare sector. The Omnia combines robotics with advanced AI and UV-C disinfection technology, to provide efficient disinfection. Equipped with advanced sensors and intelligent mapping, the robot autonomously plans its routes, avoids obstacles, and operates independently, freeing up staff for more critical tasks. The compact, slim design allows it to navigate tight spaces and reach areas often overlooked by traditional cleaning methods.


Starkstrom says it is ‘continuously working with clinicians to help solve problems today, as well as future-proofing their working environments’.


Thorough exposure to UV-C light The ability to approach obstacles down to just 15 cm ensures that even the most challenging areas receive thorough exposure to UV-C light, effectively destroying bacteria, viruses, and other harmful pathogens. In addition, the robot automatically shuts off its UV-C lamps if it detects any human presence within the disinfection area, preventing accidental exposure. “In today’s healthcare landscape, where patient safety


and hygiene are critical, the Omnia UV-C Disinfection Robot sets a new benchmark in autonomous disinfection. This innovative solution is designed with precision, efficiency, and reliability in mind, utilising powerful UV-C


light to effectively eliminate pathogens,” Guy Pomroy commented. “The Omnia ensures a sterile environment across all hospital areas, including those that are challenging to sanitise with traditional methods. With healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) affecting 7-10% of patients, and often leading to prolonged hospital stays of up to 14 days, the Omnia offers a powerful tool to reduce these risks. By minimising HCAIs, it not only helps shorten patient stays and free up hospital beds, but also enhances overall safety for both patients and staff. Beyond infection prevention, the Omnia contributes to a safer work environment by reducing the presence of harmful pathogens and combatting the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR),” he continued.


The future operating theatre When asked about the innovations we can expect to see in the future, Guy Pomroy further expanded that there has been a lot of interest and discussion around artificial intelligence – including ChatGPT. “Machine learning has been around for a while, and we can clearly see a lot of products are coming into the theatre, so we must make provision for this. We also know that there is a drive towards augmented reality for surgeons. In the future, surgeons will view images superimposed over the patient, instead of having to view a PACS screen, for example. Therefore, pendants will need to accommodate these new technologies and approaches,” he commented. Looking to the future, Guy Pomroy predicts that advances


in laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures will continue to assist with reducing operating time and produce safer outcomes, while we will also see the advancement of ‘smart’ hospitals, integrating care with more digital input. “The reduction of HCAI will be a key to safety and patient care, and we will also see more surgical hubs formed with ‘barn’ style environments, and more community- based hubs,” he concluded. “Starkstrom is already taking steps forward with the future vision for the operating theatre. We are constantly improving and innovating and introducing products such as Omnia, continuously working with clinicians to help solve problems today, as well as future-proofing their working environments.”


Reference 1 Cited by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. Original source: MacNeill AJ, Lillywhite R, Brown CJ. The impact of surgery on global climate: a carbon footprinting study of operating theatres in three health systems. Lancet Planet Health. 2017 Dec;1(9):e381-e388. doi: 10.1016/S2542- 5196(17)30162-6. Epub 2017 Dec 8. PMID: 29851650.


Acknowledgement n This article, titled ’Hands-on facility showcases latest


innovation’, first appeared in the January 2025 edition of The Clinical Services Journal. HEJ acknowledges the help of its author, CSJ’s editor, Louise Frampton, and Starkstrom, in allowing its re-publication here.


52 Health Estate Journal April 2025


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68