Deconstructing Health Care Startups for Operating Room Success

Written by Evan D. Collins, MD, MBA

Innovation has become the catalyst of progress in health care, and the operating room is no exception. As a surgeon, I have researched and experienced firsthand the transformative power of novel approaches in improving surgical quality and efficiencies, leading to overall better patient outcomes. Consequently, it is a natural progression to apply that same rigor to enhancing the overall delivery system of surgical care and management to improve access and quality and decrease waste. The following is a road map into the intricacies of collaboratively developing technology to address the current challenges faced within operating rooms.

?Change Management

Implementing change within the surgical ecosystem is akin to herding cats. Change management is a product of three variables that center on engaging all the stakeholders in the operating room to align with OR management and the patient when integrating new technologies and methodologies. Surgeons, nurses, and support staff must be adequately informed, engaged and educated on the benefits of the innovations to ensure a smooth transition. Startups aiming to make a mark in the operating room landscape should prioritize developing a comprehensive understanding of how management strategies initially garner acceptance and enthusiasm from the entire surgical team.

At Houston Methodist, we always begin with a small pilot program to determine quickly whether the innovation can expand throughout our hospital system or “sunset,” as we like to call our failed projects.? With this operating room pilot project, the innovation was applying ambient data technology that would improve accuracy in our data collection, reducing the reliance on nurse driven data entry into the EMR/operating room record. The theory was that it would garner comparably more accurate data and reduce the data entry demands of the staff. The objective was to focus on maximizing case duration accuracy to improve scheduling and staffing. Our partner vendor utilizes computer vision to digitize OR operations using high-fidelity video sensors installed in the operation rooms to passively collect necessary data, identify issues, and prioritize needed actions.? Educating clinical teams about the new ambient intelligence cameras in their operating rooms was and continues to be a delicate process for change management within our organization.???

?Disruptive Innovation

The concept of disruptive innovation is no stranger to the health care sector and certainly not at Houston Methodist.? Innovation is embedded into the culture and our promise to staff, patients, and community. Startups that challenge the status quo and introduce groundbreaking solutions often find success in reshaping the health care landscape. In the operating room, disruptive innovations can range from advanced robotics and artificial intelligence to novel surgical techniques.

Our vendor brought their AI-based ambient camera technology to us in a very “prenatal” form, and through our collaboration at the Houston Methodist Center for Innovation, we created a meaningful application for this technology.? This exemplifies the iterative process essential for new technologies to develop and integrate in an impactful manner in health care. Without this collaboration, the created technology would still be unrealized. Startups which are amenable and flexible to co-develop their products with industry partners will be more successful in the long run.

?Value Creation

Value creation is at the core of any successful health care startup, especially achieving a meaningful return on investment for their customers. The solutions introduced should not only address existing problems but also create tangible value for health care providers, staff, and patients. Whether it is streamlining surgical workflows, reducing surgical errors, or enhancing patient satisfaction, startups must focus on delivering outcomes that matter. The true measure of success lies in the positive impact these innovations have on the overall health care ecosystem.

?Opportunities in health care are complex.? Technology not only has to work accurately and seamlessly but also pass rigorous safety and security measures.? At the end of the day, success is perhaps as simple as knowing how the money flows.?

As a surgeon deeply invested in the future of health care, I am optimistic about the potential for startups to drive positive change within operating rooms. Deconstructing health care startups requires a careful balance of change management, disruptive innovation, ROI considerations, and a relentless focus on value creation. By fostering collaboration between surgeons, hospital administrators, and innovative startups, we can collectively propel the operating room into a new era of excellence and patient care.