Systems integration in the operating room: the challenge of the decade

In the past 50 years the equipment of operating rooms has changed enormously due to technological innovation and new surgery methods. In particular the establishment of minimally invasive therapy has led to a considerable increase in equipment and instruments that have to be used during surgery. The development of new equipment and instruments has had priority over the past 10–15 years, whereas now the manifold different equipment require systems integration and networking. Systems integration and networking of different OR (operating room) system components are very important current technological challenges in operative medicine. While certain technologies like robotic and navigation are still in the early stages, image documentation is an excellent starting point for systems integration because of the advanced development stage and the need for all operative disciplines. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Tübingen in Germany (UFK) is delving into systems integration and networking in the operating room. In addition to the central control and monitoring of different systems, operating tables and lighting, the image documentation of intraoperative results is a principal topic. The UFK project is part of the Center of Competence for Minimally Invasive Medicine and Technology Tübingen-Tuttlingen (MITT), which is promoted by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. This article presents the importance and potential of systems integration and networking in health care, the current stage of development and future trends, considering image documentation as an example.