Technology
Driving an AV revolution in operating theatres
Audio-visual systems are reshaping collaboration, training and decision- making inside the modern operating theatre, turning once isolated rooms into connected clinical environments.
As demands in modern healthcare increase, operating theatres are being quietly reinvented as part of an incredible technology-driven revolution. At the centre of this transformation are smart audio-visual systems that are reshaping how clinical teams work, learn and collaborate. More than 3,000 theatres across the UK and Ireland were once traditional rooms offering a single viewpoint, often with vendor- locked, single purpose installations and teams working in isolation. But that is changing fast, with a growing number now transformed to offer a truly connected environment where images, data and teams can move freely without compromising safety or sterility. Rather than adding complexity, however, modern AV is increasingly focused on simplifying the theatre environment, reducing unnecessary movement, visual clutter and mental distraction so teams can maintain focus during critical procedures. Bender UK, a specialist in turnkey, vendor-neutral AV systems, is working with hospital Trusts across the UK and Ireland to deliver pioneering theatre projects with the aim of creating calm, efficient and connected surgical environments. The company’s work is already installed in more than 30 theatres,
Theatre equipped with modern AV technology
including the Harborne Hospital in Birmingham, part of HCA Healthcare UK, Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital in Ireland, The Lister Hospital and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. These sites have the capability to live stream
from theatre to senior clinicians elsewhere on site, to hospital settings internationally, and into seminar rooms, allowing students to observe procedures in detail without overcrowding the surgical space. Stephen Coleman, National Clinical Sales Manager and AV integration specialist from Bender UK, said: “For decades, operating theatres have been dominated by outdated equipment and single-purpose installations. “Surgeons and nurses have been navigating
Modern AV is increasingly focused on simplifying the theatre environment, reducing unnecessary movement, visual clutter and mental distraction so teams can maintain focus during critical procedures.
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www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I July 2026
a maze of cables, monitors and standalone devices, often with limited access to real-time information or support. These environments, while functional, lack the agility and openness required for modern healthcare delivery. We’re at a critical turning point. A fundamental shift in how healthcare is delivered is now under way.”
Addressing long-standing challenges in operating theatres Traditional operating rooms have long been impacted by a multitude of issues that hinder both patient care and clinical collaboration. These include restricted visibility, making it difficult for all team members to observe procedures clearly and resulting in inefficient communication between staff and external specialists. Cluttered floorspaces dominated by cables, standalone monitors and ageing equipment contribute to a chaotic atmosphere and can inadvertently silo surgeons, anaesthesia and theatre teams. The safety hazards and the risk of errors and distractions in this environment are clear. But these challenges are quickly
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