Optimising workflows with digital technologies

Providing surgical care is one of the most resource-intensive and strategically important services in any hospital. Operating theatres consume a significant share of budgets and demand the highest levels of coordination, precision, and efficiency to function optimally. Yet, many organisations are locked into inefficient operational workflows that erode productivity, strain clinical staff, and have the potential to compromise patient care.

At the heart of these inefficiencies is a lack of operational transparency between departments and between sites, particularly around equipment management. Clinical teams often work in a siloed environment from sterile services and logistics where vital information — such as the availability of critical resources including the status of surgical trays or location of required consumables — is either inaccurate, incomplete, or entirely inaccessible. This opacity forces theatre and endoscopy teams into reactive modes of working, often leading to delays, last-minute changes, and even cancellations that cascade through meticulously planned scheduling.

As hospitals and surgical hubs across the UK face mounting pressures, from elective surgery backlogs to financial constraints and workforce shortages, the imperative to optimise theatre operations has never been more urgent. Embracing digital tools that bridge the gap between clinical and operational workflows can enable healthcare providers to unlock substantial efficiency gains, reclaim skilled clinical time, and improve both patient and staff experiences.