AI in the Operating Room

🔊 ”Listen”

The first time surgeon Teodor Grantcharov sat down to watch a video of himself performing surgery, he wanted to throw the recording out the window. “My perception was that my performance was spectacular,” Grantcharov says, and then pauses—, “until the moment I saw the video.” Reflecting on this operation from 25 years ago, he remembers the roughness of his dissection, the wrong instruments used, the inefficiencies which transformed a 30-minute operation into a 90-minute one. “I didn’t want anyone to see it.” Grantcharov is the founder of Surgical Safety Technologies and a professor of surgery at Stanford University.[1]

Studies have shown surgical errors are a significant problem. While exact figures vary, estimates suggest thousands of surgical errors occur annually in the United States alone[2]. Determining the exact number of errors in operating rooms is challenging due to underreporting, unclear definition of what constitutes an error, and the complexity of surgical procedures.

However, some of the most common types of surgical errors include wrong-site surgery, retained foreign objects such as surgical tools or sponges inside a patient, performing the wrong procedure, and anesthesia errors. Many organizations and healthcare institutions are working to reduce the incidence of surgical errors through initiatives such as checklists and protocols, improved communication, and use of new technologies. AI in the Operating Room could be a new frontier for surgical safety.

The operating room, a high-stakes environment where precision and efficiency are paramount, is undergoing a technological transformation. At the forefront of this revolution is Surgical Safety Technologies (SST) and its groundbreaking OR Black Box platform. Inspired by the aviation industry’s “black box,” SST has developed a sophisticated system which records a multitude of data points during surgical procedures. The concept is to use data-driven insights for improved outcomes.

The OR Black Box captures a comprehensive range of information, including patient vitals, equipment performance, surgical team actions, and environmental conditions. This data is then analyzed using advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to identify patterns, anomalies, and potential areas for improvement. This wealth of information captured in the “black box” opens significant opportunities.

Surgical Safety Technologies claims its technology can:

• Prevent Medical Errors: Early detection of equipment malfunctions, human errors, or adverse patient reactions can be crucial in preventing catastrophic outcomes.
• Optimize Surgical Workflow: Analyzing surgical step-by-step procedures can identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks, leading to shorter operating times and reduced patient discomfort.
• Enhance Surgical Training: The platform can serve as a valuable educational tool, allowing surgeons to learn from both successful and challenging cases.
• Improve Patient Outcomes: By combining data-driven insights with clinical expertise, hospitals can implement targeted interventions to enhance patient safety and satisfaction.

While the potential benefits of the OR Black Box are substantial, there are several challenges.  Data Privacy: Protecting patient confidentiality is paramount. Robust security measures must be in place to safeguard sensitive information. Algorithmic Bias: AI algorithms are only as good as the data they are trained on. It’s essential to mitigate biases in the data to ensure fair and accurate analysis. Human-AI Collaboration: As with many, perhaps most, AI integrations have the goal to augment human expertise, not replace it. A collaborative approach leveraging the strengths of both surgeons and AI is crucial. Finally, there are Ethical Considerations: The use of AI in healthcare raises ethical questions about accountability and decision-making. Clear guidelines and regulations are necessary.

To gain widespread acceptance, SST will have to prioritize transparency and open communication. By clearly explaining how data is collected, used, and protected, the company can build trust with patients, surgeons, and healthcare institutions. Additionally, providing clear insights into the AI algorithms and their decision-making processes can foster confidence in the technology.

The integration of AI into the operating room is still in its early stages, but the potential for improving patient safety and outcomes is significant. Surgical Safety Technologies, with its OR Black Box platform, is leading the way in this new frontier. As the technology continues to evolve and mature, I believe we can anticipate a future where surgery is not only safer but also more efficient and effective. If SST and others can address the challenges and build trust, the OR Black Box has the potential to become an indispensable tool for healthcare providers and revolutionize surgical care.

My blog post is based on an article in MIT Technology Review[3]. It was written by Simar Bajaj, an award-winning science journalist and 2024 Marshall Scholar. The comprehensive article was nearly 4,000 words. I have summarized to less than 800 words. I hope you enjoy it. Read more about patient safety in my book Health Attitude: Unraveling and Solving the Complexities of Healthcare.

[1] Teodor Grantcharov

[2] Surgery blog, How Often Do Surgical Errors in the Operating Room Occur?, What Are the Most Common Surgical Errors?

[3] This AI – powered “black box” could make surgery safer

Note: I use Gemini AI and other AI chatbots as my research assistants. AI can boost productivity for anyone who creates content. Sometimes I get incorrect data from AI, and when something looks suspicious, I dig deeper. Sometimes the data varies by sources where AI finds it. I take responsibility for my posts and if anyone spots an error, I will appreciate knowing it, and will correct it.