backbone of integrated ORs. An
integrated OR means something
different to everyone, but its
goals are to reduce the burdens
on the clinical team and to elim-
inate useless technology that
doesn't support the workflow.
Take an electronic board mount-
ed above the whiteboard, for
example. They both display the same information about the day's
schedule. But if no one looks at the electronic boards, get rid of them.
Clinicians usually have conceptual ideas on what their perfect work-
ing environment would be. The ideal state for an anesthesia provider
might be to look at a single screen that consolidates all the informa-
tion displayed on 6 screens. A circulator might love to be able to
voice-control data into an electronic environment. Some surgeons like
to see integrated data on a dashboard so that they don't have to look
at multiple screens. But really, it's all about bringing data to the clini-
cians to support their decision-making that allows for safer care.
What's it take to turn those conceptual ideas into a successful OR
integration outcomes? Here are 5 tips to consider:
1. Build your team. At the very least, your team should include
advanced practice nurses, anesthesiologists, surgeons and architects.
But it should also include a fully engaged IT component and a chief
financial officer or someone who is in the finance office.
In addition to your team, also talk to people who are not in the cur-
rent OR environment. That could be somebody like a potential
patient, a 15-year-old, or somebody from another industry. Have them
describe what kind of OR experience that they would want to have.
8 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
The ability to share
information across
systems and platforms
is the backbone of
integrated ORs.
