The OR Black Box®, inspired by aviation's black box technology, has been implemented in Duke University Medical Center’s operating rooms to improve surgical quality and safety. This system records a wide range of data, including video, audio, and patient physiological metrics such as oxygenation and temperature. It automatically tracks key performance indicators like on-time starts and procedure durations, offering valuable insights into surgical efficiency and teamwork. The collected data is analyzed using artificial intelligence to flag incidents or variations in real-time, providing learning opportunities without placing blame on individuals.
This technology fosters a culture of continuous improvement by highlighting both areas for growth and moments of exceptional performance, ultimately aiming to enhance overall patient care and outcomes.