vides. Lisa Seeds, RN, BSN, night supervisor of the main OR at Bon
Secours St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond, Va., says surgeons who have
been using 4K monitors in the hospital's two ORs believe the imaging
systems provide a better view of the surgical cavity, making for more
precise movement and technique.
"Right now, 4K is being requested for better visualization and clarity
with robotic and laparoscopic cases," says James Wade, BSN, RN,
CNOR, assistant nurse manager at Legacy Health Salmon Creek in
Vancouver, Wash. "Surgeons are using 4K at other facilities and feel it
makes a difference."
However, some respondents reported that true 4K remains elusive
because their entire video chain hasn't yet been upgraded. "Our moni-
tor does not have the specific camera or cables for 4K, so it doesn't
make much of a difference," says one surgery coordinator.
Other advanced imaging technologies such as 3D, VR and AR are
largely still not in use. Not surprisingly, cost is a major inhibitor of a
movement toward adding them. "We are not currently using any of
these," says one reader. "For our independent physicians group, the
benefits would need to outweigh the additional costs and upkeep. Our
surgeons may feel differently if given the option to use them in a hos-
pital setting."
Imaging insights
We also inquired about difficulties or frustrations readers had with
their surgical monitors. Many had no complaints. Some simply
lamented the age of their screens and the damage they've sustained
from heavy everyday use. Others mentioned positioning issues in the
OR due to limited floor space, cable clutter, and difficulties with ceil-
ing and wall mounting, which speaks more to the layouts of their
facilities and quality of their video integration than the screens them-
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