Embracing the future of theatre nursing: Hybrid operating rooms and quality assurance in pathology

Author(s)
Author(s)
Yip, C.-H.
Date Issued
2026
Publisher
Springer
Related Publication(s)
Surgical nursing in practice: Perspectives on the application of clinical expertise towards better patient care
Start page
23
End page
30
Abstract
The hybrid operating room (OR) integrates advanced imaging with a multifunctional surgical table, enabling combines diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. This innovation facilitates minimally invasive surgery, which can reduce patient risk, decrease pain, and speed up recovery times by eliminating the need for patient transfers and minimizing surgical impact. Hybrid ORs offer a significant advantage for cardiovascular patients by consolidating examinations and treatments into a single setting. Using real-time imaging and computer-assisted instruments, an interdisciplinary team performs all necessary procedures at once. This approach can lower costs, shorten hospital stays, improve efficiency, and minimize risks from patient transfers. Errors in pathology specimen identification can lead to severe consequences. To enhance patient safety, quality control measures like the GCRS-Plus specimen tracking system are crucial. This system verifies orders and tracks specimens from collection. However, mitigating errors requires a comprehensive approach, addressing potential issues in the preanalytical (collection), analytical (lab processing), and postanalytical (reporting and storage) phases to ensure accurate diagnoses and proper treatment. The implementation of barcodes has significantly improved sample tracking, reduced errors, and enhanced quality. Additionally, radio frequency identification (RFID) shows promise in minimizing specimen loss events and labelling errors throughout the pathology process. However, RFID technology requires further refinement before widespread adoption in healthcare settings. The future of theatre nursing lies in the continued development and integration of advanced technologies like hybrid ORs and quality assurance measures in pathology, ultimately improving patient care and treatment outcomes.
URI
SFU Affiliated Publication
Yes
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