From a radial operating theatre to a self-contained operating table.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Technology
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Operating theatres often suffer from severe equipment congestion and cable disarray, termed the "spaghetti syndrome."
• The radial arrangement of medical equipment and their associated lines is a primary contributor to this clutter.
• This disorganization can impede workflow and potentially impact patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a comprehensive design concept for mitigating electrical and physical clutter in operating theatres.
• To address the root causes of congestion stemming from the radial configuration of equipment.
• To enhance the efficiency and safety of the surgical environment through improved design.

Main Methods:

• Data collection from various operating theatres.
• Identification and categorization of equipment, cables, tubes, and lines based on information flow and function.
• Development of a design concept for an integrated operating table system.

Main Results:

• A design concept for a self-contained, 'built-in' operating table was developed.
• This integrated unit aims to centralize the management of patient flow, supply systems, and environmental controls.
• The proposed design directly tackles the clutter caused by radial configurations.

Conclusions:

• A 'built-in' operating table offers a viable solution to reduce operating theatre clutter.
• Integrating equipment management into the operating table can streamline patient care processes.
• This design approach has the potential to significantly improve the organization and functionality of surgical environments.