Value-based healthcare is creating challenges in laparoscopic surgery1
Operating room inefficiencies, surgical variability, and workforce challenges are affecting your hospital and practice.
The limitations of traditional laparoscopy
may drive inefficiency and impact quality measures
Limitations of traditional laparoscopy impact clinical intelligence: Clinical intelligence is defined as point-of-care knowledge that allows a surgeon to make more informed decisions that may drive improved outcomes and procedural efficiency.
OR Inefficiencies
Surgeon inability to control vision can cause efficiency and safety challenges
Quick movement or unsteady control of the camera can cause fogging, which requires a pause in the procedure for cleaning
Adjusting the way instruments are positioned for the purpose of ergonomic improvement is inefficient1
Limited Clinical Intelligence
Haptic feedback is limited, as there is a lack of sensing of force generated at places like the abdominal wall2
The surgeon is not in direct control of his/her visualization
Working outside of the visual field is a common challenge due to a lack of camera control
Surgical variability is a key concern
for hospitals and surgeons
TEAM DYNAMICS1,3 Failures in situational awareness among surgeons and staff are associated with a higher rate of technical errors. This can create efficiency challenges with the medical assistant control of surgeon visualization.
SURGEON AND STAFF FATIGUE3 Several studies found that increased levels of fatigue were drivers of variability in technical errors, time to complete the task, and instrument handling.
Surgical variability is the inconsistency of surgeon and staff proficiency with regard to the interacting and interdependent elements involved in the surgical event. These include tasks, team size, workflow, resources, technologies, processes, and environments that may impact cost, utilization, effectiveness, and outcomes of surgery.
87% of laparoscopic surgeons suffer from performance-related symptoms5
Estimate of overall career prevalence for major MSDs in surgeons:
- 18% rotator cuff pathology
- 9% carpal tunnel syndrome
Estimate of 12-month prevalence in surgeons:
- 60% neck pain
Estimate of 12-month prevalence in surgeons:
- 52% shoulder pain
Estimate of overall career prevalence for major MSDs in surgeons:
- 19% degenerative lumbar spine disease
Estimate of overall career prevalence for major MSDs in surgeons:
- 18% rotator cuff pathology
- 9% carpal tunnel syndrome
Estimate of 12-month prevalence in surgeons:
- 60% neck pain
Surgeons’ work environment and working conditions have been described as equal to, if not at times harsher than, those of certain industrial workers.7
A meta-analysis of 21 musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) studies showed that 12% of surgeons with work-related MSDs required a leave of absence, practice restriction or modification, or early retirement.7
The Association of American Medical Colleges forecasts
a deficit of over 33,000 surgeons and specialists by 203010
Factors driving surgeon shortage
Population Growth:
In a little over a decade (2030)10:
- The total US population is expected to grow by ~11%
- US residents aged 65 and older are expected to increase in number by 50%
- The number of US residents aged 75 and older is expected to grow by 69%
Surgeon Aging:
More than one-third of all active physicians will be 65 or older in the next 10 years10,11
- More than 90% of surveyed hospital executives said they expect their organizations will face a serious talent shortage in the next 10 years that will affect their ability to deliver high-quality care
- Those surveyed said their organizations have begun employing strategies to attract and retain talent in preparation for the surgeon shortage.11