Current Trends Impacting Operating Room Professionals

Posted at 12 May 2025 in Operating Room,Policies,Technology,Workflow by Marrianne

Innovation in healthcare has made a significant impact to enhance patient care and healthcare outcomes.

The operating room focuses on improving surgical outcomes, by implementing strategies and technology that optimise patient care.

As an experienced operating room nurse, I have observed the positive impact of technology on patient care.

However, successful implementation of intra-operative technology necessitates a strategic plan and continuous monitoring.

According to the Australian Government, 2023-2035, The Nursing Supply and Demand Study,’ there will be a shortage of 70,707 nurses by 2035. In acute care the estimated short fall is 26,665 nurses. Supply is not expected to keep pace with demand.’

It is essential to consider the wellbeing of healthcare professionals who, according to research, are experiencing burnout, lack experience, face high turnover rates, represent an ageing workforce, feel overworked and undervalued.

Data shows recognition and gratitude enhance healthcare professionals’ wellbeing, teamwork, and sense of value, which is crucial for a sustainable healthcare delivery system.

Healthcare professionals wellbeing must be prioritised when introducing new technology, requiring a balanced approach to ensure safety, support and compliance. Stable adoption needs time for adjustments, support, education, and ongoing training.

Innovative technology that significantly affects patient care can greatly influence clinical workflows and overall workload.

Any adjustments to clinical workflow/workload impacts on patient safety and a number of factors should be thought through prior to implementation.

Key factors include:

Current workflow
Technology’s impact on clinicians’ responsibilities
Time for setup and preparation
Feedback and troubleshooting
Clinical skill mix, staffing numbers
Impact on instrument handling and patient safety
Responsibility for equipment management
Policies and governance on equipment use
Environmental conditions
Equipment monitoring and maintenance

It is crucial to acknowledge that operating room personnel, especially those in the roles of instrument and circulator, already adhere to mandated legal policy directives, for each surgical procedure they are involved with, requiring contemporaneous documentation, even when using hybrid systems.

Prioritising tasks and responsibilities is key to a fluent workflow. Patient safety should always be placed at the forefront of any task.

The adoption of new technology, along with the modification of policies and procedures, has altered the responsibilities and dynamics faced by healthcare professionals.

Peri-operative teams, who work across various surgical specialties, are highly skilled, adaptable, and knowledgeable professionals.

Their competencies should always be regarded with the utmost respect.

Peri-operative professionals recognise the need for change, however, in order to effectively integrate technology, and sustain a critical workforce, we need to identify, prioritise and support the clinical impact of technology.

Sustaining and supporting this skilled workforce is vital to our healthcare system.

https://hwd.health.gov.au/resources/primary/nursing-supply-and-demand-study-2023-2035.pdf

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/2983251

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666142X25000505

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/2983251

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7164898/