OR 2020 workshop report: Operating room of the future

Abstract Planning for an effective and vital Operating Room of the Future (ORF) is necessary for ensuring improved and safer surgical practice in the coming decades. A workshop was held in March 2004 that drew together 100 clinicians, engineers, and scientists to identify needed clinical and technical requirements for the improved ORF. Six working groups assessed specific needs in these areas: operational efficiency and workflow; systems integration and technical standards; telecollaboration; surgical robotics; intraoperative diagnosis and imaging; and surgical informatics. This paper will provide an introduction to the ORF workshop, a summary of the working groups' assessments; a compilation of 5 broad areas of technology requirements; and a review of 5 conclusions/priorities attained by the working groups, including the need for standards in all areas of the operation of an effective ORF, the pressing need for interoperability of devices to ensure improved care and throughput, and the development of advanced, surgery-specific imaging and display.