This is Part 3 of a 4-part series on optimizing hybrid ORs for patients. Part 1 offered an overview of hybrid OR benefits. Part 2 discussed ways to enhance the patient experience. In Part 3, we’ll detail how a better patient experience fosters improved workflow and productivity.
Image-guided therapy (IGT) and hybrid operating rooms not only improve patient outcomes, they also improve staff workflow and productivity, grant caregiver confidence and increase job satisfaction.
Workflow and productivity
In a hybrid OR with IGT capabilities, the right equipment enables staff to:
- Quickly transition from a minimally invasive procedure to a fully draped, open procedure
- Switch between different surgeons for complementary procedures performed during the same surgery
- Prep the same OR for various interventions between patients
- Take images during surgery without the need to reposition patients
Rails and attachments make quick conversions possible for minimally invasive procedures that require an emergency conversion to an open procedure. For example, in a hybrid OR, the patient surface does not have built-in accessory rails. In a procedure such as the repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysms, 40-inch accessory rails can be attached to either side of the table to accommodate mounting retractors if a minimally-invasive procedure requires conversion to an open approach.
With the right attachments, staff have ultimate flexibility and do not need to improvise on the fly. They can swap out attachments for different procedures, reducing tedious rework and improving overall efficiency and productivity.
Caregiver confidence
Equipment designed for hybrid operating rooms and image-guided therapy gives staff confidence to easily position patients for safe, successful procedures.
For example, some neuro tables do not have a way to secure a skull fixation device. A Mayfield adapter can be easily attached to the IGT table to allow the cranial fixation device to be securely mounted. Once in place, the patient can be appropriately positioned for a craniotomy.
Most IGT tabletops are too narrow to accommodate larger patients, so hospital staff members aren’t confident they can position these patients safely. Bariatric extenders feature wider surfaces with securement straps to keep patients safe and secure during image-guided therapy.
Though hospital staff will always worry about patient safety, tools such as Mayfield adapters, bariatric extenders and memory foam table pads can help build their confidence by reducing risk.
Better outcomes and job satisfaction
Hospital staff want to provide the best care, and they need access to the right tools. MRIs and CTs are remarkably sensitive, for example, so image-guided therapy requires operating rooms outfitted with MRI-compatible or radiolucent materials for interference-free scans.
With rail extenders, staff can mount accessories such as radiolucent, carbon fiber arm boards. The arm boards can be rotated or extended to the side for imaging or intervention, such as if clinicians need to obtain lateral images or access radial or brachial arteries.
Image-guided therapy increases caregiver confidence and improves patient outcomes. A properly equipped Hybrid OR maximizes equipment utilization and procedural versatility while bolstering efficiency. Collectively, these benefits can boost employee morale and increase overall job satisfaction.
Next steps
Learn how optimizing the patient experience for hybrid operating rooms can improve operational efficiency in Part 4 of this series.
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