communication, team-
work, policy and the
physical environment.
Such analysis is tradi-
tionally assembled ret-
rospectively based on
recall, or using human
observers, which con-
sumes resources and
can be distracting to
staff. Aside from some-
one turning the black
box on at the begin-
ning of a procedure and off afterward, the surgical team doesn't see
or interact with the system. The patient's identity, as well as those of
everyone else in the room and the facility itself, is anonymized. But
the information generated by analysis of the captured data can be
used for educational and process-improvement purposes.
The system, now on its second generation, requires capital equip-
ment investment along with a subscription fee for the data analysis.
The data transmitted to Dr. Grantcharov's team is analyzed by a mix
of AI and human intelligence. Facilities access the analysis through an
online portal. As more surgical facilities sign on, more data is collect-
ed and more trends are analyzed worldwide, providing richer analysis
and insight than even the most data-aware facility could produce on
its own.
Virtual and augmented reality
VR is also making inroads into surgical training and education.
Wearing a VR headset, surgeons can learn how to safely use new
A P R I L 2 0 2 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 7
• CLEAR PATH During ENT procedures, surgeons can view images that combine
real-life and augmented reality aspects to guide movements more safely and accu-
rately.
