Technology
there are four main considerations that will impact not only the clinical teams but also the hospital management and the patient: l The need for standardisation and interoperability of the digital systems and devices.
l The ethical, legal and social implications of using digital technology in surgery, such as data privacy, consent and liability.
l The impact of digital technology on the skills, roles and responsibilities of the surgical team, as well as on the patient experience and satisfaction.
l Provision of training and technology guides for both system designers and clinical users.
Standardisation and interoperability are two key concepts that enable the effective use of digital technology in the operating theatre.3
In this
rapidly evolving landscape, the establishment of common data models, formats, protocols, and terminologies for digital systems and devices is essential for seamless integration and interoperability. Standardisation ensures that digital systems
and devices within the operating theatre can communicate with each other and exchange data without losing information or functionality. By adhering to standardised formats and protocols, healthcare providers can capture, analyse, share, and reuse data across multiple sources, domains, and disciplines. One aspect of standardisation in the
operating theatre involves the development and adoption of common data models. These models provide a framework for representing and structuring different types of data, such as patient information, imaging data, or surgical records. With standardised data models, information can be consistently interpreted and exchanged between different digital systems, reducing errors and enhancing the accuracy and reliability of clinical decision-making. Standardisation also extends to the formats used for capturing and storing data. By defining standardised formats, such as DICOM (Digital
Imaging and Communications in Medicine) for medical imaging or HL7 (Health Level 7) for health information exchange, digital systems can ensure compatibility and interoperability across various devices and platforms. This allows for the seamless sharing of patient data, images, and other critical information between different healthcare providers, enhancing collaboration and continuity of care. In addition to data models and formats,
standardisation efforts encompass the development of common protocols and interfaces for communication between digital systems. For instance, the adoption of industry-standard communication protocols, such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol), enables secure and reliable data transfer between devices in the operating theatre. Interoperability between different devices, such as surgical robots, imaging systems, and monitoring equipment, becomes possible through the implementation of standardised interfaces and communication protocols. The benefits of standardisation in the digital
operating theatre are numerous. Firstly, it allows for seamless integration of digital systems and devices, reducing the need for custom interfaces or complex integrations. This streamlines workflows, improves efficiency, and reduces the potential for errors caused by manual data entry or data transfer. Standardisation also facilitates data
aggregation and analysis. By utilising standardised data models and formats, healthcare providers can consolidate data from multiple sources, enabling comprehensive
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analytics, quality assessments, and research initiatives. The ability to extract meaningful insights from integrated data sets contributes to evidence-based decision-making, research advancements, and the development of best practices in surgical care. Additionally, standardisation promotes vendor neutrality, as it reduces dependency on proprietary systems or formats. Healthcare organisations can choose and integrate digital solutions from different vendors, knowing that they can achieve interoperability and avoid vendor lock-in. This creates healthy competition, encourages innovation, and empowers organisations to select the best technology solutions to meet their specific needs. Standardisation efforts are typically driven by industry organisations, regulatory bodies, and professional societies. These entities collaborate to establish and promote standards that are widely accepted and adopted across the healthcare industry. However, standardisation is an ongoing
process, as technology evolves and new challenges emerge. Continuous collaboration and engagement with stakeholders is essential to ensure that standards keep pace with technological advancements and address the evolving needs of the operating theatre. By establishing common data models, formats, protocols, and terminologies, standardisation enhances interoperability, data sharing, and collaboration among digital systems and devices. It streamlines workflows, supports evidence-based decision-making, and promotes vendor neutrality. As the landscape of
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