In many endoscopy departments, various systems operate in isolation. For instance, the image and video data produced during procedures may be stored in one system, while patient information is kept in another. Additionally, the connection between departments, such as pathology for biopsy results, is often inadequate.
According to GLOBOCAN, there were 1.93 million colorectal cancer diagnoses globally in 2020, resulting in 934,731 deaths.
Implementing interoperable digital solutions could facilitate earlier diagnoses, potentially reducing mortality rates. Moreover, by simplifying documentation and processes, healthcare providers can dedicate more time to patient care, leading to smoother procedures and enhanced overall care.
Olympus has introduced an interoperability solution at SANA Kliniken AG in Berlin, which conducts over 13,000 endoscopy procedures each year. The SANA team reports that this solution allows healthcare professionals to spend less time manually checking equipment status, thereby increasing time available for patient care.
Improving Endoscopy Efficiency
The solution integrates various systems, displaying real-time data on a centralized dashboard. Staff can instantly check equipment status and location, minimizing manual checks and optimizing the endoscopy workflow.
This strategy aims to enhance efficiency, increase endoscope usage, and improve return on investment by reducing downtime. The dashboard also supports proactive error management, enabling staff to quickly address issues (such as errors in endoscope reprocessing) and prevent delays in procedures.
Professor Siegbert Faiss, medical director at the hospital, stated, “The dashboard has improved our workflow, increasing awareness and efficiency. By minimizing tedious tasks, Olympus’s supporting software systems enable staff to concentrate on patient care.”
Future of Endoscopy Ecosystems
Olympus envisions a future with interoperable solutions that eliminate the gaps caused by isolated processes. Key features of this ecosystem include:
- AI-driven lesion analysis
- Automated documentation
- Procedural quality control
- Asset management
These features aim to reduce administrative burdens and streamline report writing, allowing clinicians to focus more on patient care.
Healthcare professionals, including head nurses and clinical teams, would benefit from streamlined processes and readily available data insights. For CTOs and IT departments, Olympus’s interoperability vision supports scalable, technology-driven solutions that simplify data integration and reporting, aligning with digital transformation initiatives to meet compliance and analytics needs.
While the advantages of the solutions at SANA Kliniken are substantial, this is just the beginning. Miquel Angel García, Global Head of Endoscopy Solutions Ecosystem at Olympus, remarked, “We believe the future of technology lies in making sense of data and artificial intelligence in endoscopy.”
“Our goal is to utilize technology to alleviate the administrative and cognitive challenges faced by clinicians, addressing issues like data silos and financial constraints while prioritizing patient safety to create a more seamless healthcare experience.”
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A study from the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in the UK indicates that digital transformation in healthcare can save nurses time. For further insights into Health Information System Integration in the Endoscopy Department and its potential for annual cost savings, improved efficiency, enhanced morale, and the elimination of paper-based processes, refer to Measuring the Impact of Digitisation on NHS Nurses’ Time and Morale: A Time and Motion Study.
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Note: The products and technologies discussed may not be available in all countries and are currently not available in the United States. The safety and effectiveness of these products and technologies have not yet been established in the U.S. market.