BOSTON -- Eyes to the screen everyone -- you're about to see "the operating room of the future."
The $2.5 million high-tech investment opened this September at Massachusetts General Hospital.
NewsCenter 5's Heather Unruh said that it's designed to improve care and efficiency.
Inside the operating room of the future surgeons, surrounded by high-tech gear, use telestrators to teach and plan procedures. At their fingertips -- the ability to adjust lights and activate equipment, including cameras and screens mounted virtually everywhere -- no more straining to see.
"One of the problems with videoscopic surgery is that monitors are often monitored on carts. They're not at eye level. They can be behind you and it makes a surgeon feel very uncoordinated and this has definitely improved that," Massachusetts General Hospital Dr. David Rattner said.
In fact, Mass General surgeons said that cases in the new OR take two-thirds less time than in traditional ORs.
"The unexpected benefit which we realized here was the proximity that we're in with our nurses and patients at all times. So that it's very easy to walk and see your patient more frequently since they're right next to you in the room next door," Rattner said.
It's designed for efficiency with automated supply cabinets.
"When we need anything we hit a button. The way the room is set up in the cabinets, we never have to leave the room," Massachusetts General Hospital nurse Susan Haneffant said.
That leaves more time for patients.
"Our surgeons are very happy with it, and our nurses are happy with it. Patients like it, and anesthesiologists like it. We think it's a tremendous success," Massachusetts General Hospital Dr. Richard Wiklund said.
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