Since the release of "To Err Is Human" in 2000, the healthcare industry has increasingly turned to aviation as a model for enhancing safety, leading to transformative innovations in hospital practices. A notable advancement is the introduction of the OR Black Box®, inspired by aviation's flight recorder technology. Developed by Dr. Teodor Grantcharov at Stanford Medicine, this system employs cameras, sensors, and recording devices to continuously monitor operating room activities, capturing critical data on surgical procedures, communication, and environmental factors. Unlike traditional methods of data collection, which can be biased and limited, the OR Black Box generates objective and precise information, leveraging artificial intelligence to identify improvement opportunities.

The primary aim of the OR Black Box is to shift surgical safety from a reactive approach—analyzing past mistakes—to a proactive model that anticipates and mitigates risks before they lead to adverse outcomes. By fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement among surgical teams, the OR Black Box enhances both the quality of care and the work environment for healthcare staff. With privacy safeguards in place, including the removal of identifiable information, this technology has been adopted by numerous adult hospitals, with plans for expansion into children's hospitals, promising to significantly enhance efficiency and safety in pediatric care as well.