Using Data to Enhance Performance and Improve Quality and Safety in Surgery

Many of the adverse events that occur in hospitals are a result of human error.  The authors describe a system for use in the OR that collects and collates intraoperative data feeds, including patient and OR team physiological parameters, audiovisual content, and environmental factors.  The data are analyzed to assist in proactive assessment of risks, support root cause analyses, facilitate team training, assess efficiency, and help in evaluation of surgical technology.  This technologica approach may reflect our work environment in the future.