The "Frankentower:" A clinician-driven approach to enhancing endoscopic data technology

Area of Science:

• Medical Technology
• Clinical Engineering
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Endoscopic video management presents challenges in retrieval and storage.
• Existing systems may lack efficiency in diverse clinical environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an efficient endoscopy tower for improved video management.
• To evaluate the system's effectiveness in enhancing video retrieval and storage across multiple clinical sites.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study conducted over two years in a tertiary care Pediatric Otolaryngology Department.
• Assembly of a composite endoscopy cart, termed "Frankentower," using components from three medical device manufacturers.
• Collaboration with Information Services and endoscopy vendors.

Main Results:

• Successful development of a functional, composite endoscopic tower.
• Improved management and retrieval of endoscopy videos and images.
• Enhanced patient care and facilitated medical education for students, residents, and faculty.

Conclusions:

• The "Frankentower" offers a feasible and cost-effective solution for streamlining endoscopy exam capture, access, and storage.
• The system effectively addresses challenges in managing patient endoscopy data across various clinical settings.
• This integrated approach supports improved clinical workflows and educational objectives.