New developments do not only improve patient satisfaction, but can also improve surgeon satisfaction. Anthony Zannis, director of upstream marketing at Mizuho OSI, explains how technology can improve patient outcomes as well as what patients and surgeons can expect from Mizuho in 2018.
Question: What types of technology and/or equipment can hospitals install in their operating rooms to improve surgeon satisfaction?
Anthony Zannis: For the benefit of the patient and the surgeon, hospitals should invest in medical technologies that provide better-quality diagnosis and improved surgical procedures. Institutions should also explore operating room layouts that are optimized for workflow efficiency and minimal surgical errors, as well
as robotics that assist with the safety and effectiveness of procedures. Enabling technologies that enhance intraoperative visibility for improved access and surgical decision making, such as C-arms, microscopes and radiolucent patient-positioning platforms, can further improve surgeon satisfaction and patient
outcomes.
As with other departments within the hospital, information technology and the integration of medical equipment in the operating room further enhances capabilities and allows for a more streamlined surgical experience. Mobile devices can provide improved access to patient data during the treatment journey, helping
care teams throughout the hospital. For a truly integrated operating room environment, it is important to ensure that all the medical equipment operates in synchronicity with one another.
Q: How has the development of hybrid operating rooms improved patient outcomes and surgeon satisfaction?
AZ: Hybrid OR technology allows surgical staff to potentially diagnose and provide treatment during surgical intervention with imaging optimized for the environment. As complexity in procedures increases, these specialized operating rooms provide surgeons and staff with the tools required to address the needs of
patients and proactively resolve any challenges in a complex surgery. Improvements driven by the hybrid OR include: enhanced imaging, high-end technology, robotics and optimized space layout.
Q: What products can readers and customers expect to see in 2018 from Mizuho OSI and other manufacturers?
AZ: We can expect to see more technologies for both the acute and ambulatory surgery settings that ensure patients are up and moving soon after the procedure. In the orthopedic and spine space, we expect more assistive and passive robotic instruments for spinal, for example Mazor, and joint replacement
procedures, such as Stryker Mako and Think Surgical. Mizuho OSI is actively commercializing “smart” surgical tables and attachments with enhanced positioning, imaging, and intraoperative capabilities to address the ever evolving needs of the OR environment.