In the buzzing corridors of Erasmus MC, where the future of surgical care is taking shape, clinical technologist Bart Cornelissen, TU Delft associate professor Theresia van Essen and Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management associate professor Martina Buljac are working together on the ambitious ‘SMART OR 2030’ project.
Vision
“We want to create the operating room of the future, where AI and technological innovations increase efficiency and staff welfare is key.”, says Cornelissen, driven by the increasing scarcity in OR, and explains: ‘Capacity cannot keep up with the growing demand for care. We want to explore how to make the OR more efficient using technology, while at the same time improving the well-being of our colleagues and patients’
"We want to create the operating room of the future, where AI and technological innovations increase efficiency and staff welfare is key."
Scientifically, the project aims to develop AI-driven solutions to improve surgical planning and scheduling, leading to shorter operating room times, fewer revisional surgeries, and better patient well-being. The research will be validated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and implemented in real-world healthcare settings.
Economically, the project addresses the significant financial losses associated with inefficient operating room processes. By improving workflow efficiency, the project aims to save substantial amounts of money for hospitals, potentially reducing waste by billions worldwide.
Societally, the project seeks to alleviate the strain on healthcare professionals by reducing workload, overtime, and administrative tasks. This, in turn, is expected to improve staff satisfaction, patient safety, and reduce medical errors, ultimately saving lives and improving the quality of care.
