A growing number of hospitals across the US and Canada are implementing AI-powered surveillance technology in their operating rooms. This technology is designed to collect various types of data, including audio, video, and patient vital signs, with the aim of enhancing safety and efficiency during surgical procedures.
One such technology, known as the OR Black Box, has been adopted by over two dozen hospitals, including the Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital in Boston. Developed by Surgical Safety Technologies Inc., the OR Black Box utilizes wide-angled cameras and proprietary AI models to monitor and analyze surgical activities.
Contrary to its name, the OR Black Box is not intended to investigate incidents or disasters retrospectively. Instead, it aims to prevent mishaps by providing real-time insights and feedback to medical staff. The AI technology anonymizes individuals in the operating rooms by blurring faces and “cartoonifying” bodies. It aggregates and analyzes data, providing hospitals with valuable information on compliance with protocols, efficiency, safety audits, and quality control. The recorded video and audio clips can be reviewed, annotated, and used for educational purposes. All recordings are automatically deleted after 30 days.
The implementation of the OR Black Box has already led to significant improvements in surgical practices. For example, at Duke Health in North Carolina, the technology revealed that the surgical teams were not adhering to the established protocol for preparing patients’ skin. This discovery prompted the hospital to host a retraining session and make necessary changes.
However, despite the potential benefits, there are concerns among hospital staff regarding AI surveillance. Nurses at the Faulkner Hospital fear that errors captured by the AI cameras may be used against them as grounds for disciplinary actions. They also question the effectiveness of the anonymization techniques, especially when the same staff works in multiple operating rooms.
Another challenge relates to the use of data in potential malpractice cases. As recorded data can be subject to legal scrutiny, the implications and protections in such scenarios remain unclear. Legal experts suggest that it will be up to the courts and legislation to determine the extent of permissible uses.
In the meantime, hospitals like Mayo Clinic, which recently implemented the OR Black Box, are focusing on the positive outcomes. By utilizing the technology, they have identified areas for improvement, such as the optimal arrangement of surgical equipment, leading to enhanced efficiency.
Overall, AI surveillance technology in operating rooms holds promise for improved patient care and safety. As both the technology and legal landscape continue to evolve, it is vital to strike a balance between utilizing data for improvement while maintaining privacy and professional safeguards.
The source of the article is from the blog rugbynews.at