Standardized semantic workflow modeling in the surgical domain: Proof-of-concept analysis and evaluation for a neurosurgical use-case

Surgical processes, activities and medical devices can be managed and monitored by workflow management systems. An essential aspect of workflow management support in operating room environments is the description and visualization of the underlying processes and activities in a machine readable format, as Surgical Process Models (SPM). However, these SPMs often vary in terms of granularity, naming and representation of process elements as well as their modeling structure. Semantic workflow- and process modeling techniques have become state-of-the-art for the standardized representation of business workflows. The aim of this paper is to perform a proof-of-concept analysis and evaluation of a newly developed methodology for semantic workflow modeling in the surgical domain, using a neurosurgical intervention as an example.