Surgeons are fast welcoming the Google Glass in the operating room.
The wearable technology is quickly gaining popularity and surgeons are excited at the possibilities of using the device in the operating room. Despite concerns surrounding privacy and speech recognition as well as Wi-Fi issues, Google Glass could soon become an indispensable tool for healthcare professionals.
Reportedly, researchers have collaborated to explore the possible uses of Google Glass in a clinical setting, which has been unexplored thus far.
Researchers are seeking out innovative ways to help surgeons deliver better and more effective patient care with the use of Google Glass. They are delving into the possibilities of how the wearable technology can be imbibed in surgical procedures to enable doctors to gather information quickly and with ease.
"The most exciting potential application of Google Glass in healthcare is the ability to allow providers to 'virtually' be in two places at once, which will have a significant impact on workflow and patient care," says Anthony Jones, the VP and chief marketing officer for patient care and clinical informatics at Philips Healthcare.
Additionally, Google Glass is already being deployed in surgeries, per reports, and Dr. Pierre Theodore, a cardiothoracic surgeon at UCSF has performed 10 or 15 planned surgeries using the device.
"We did a series of dry lab experimentations to demonstrate that hand-eye coordination and the distraction using the Glass was minimal, and that the images could be readily brought up and removed from the vision of the surgeon," says Theodore. "We sought limited use in a single specialty for the first pilot trials, and we set certain metrics and aims."
Surgeons already use eyewear that magnifies the surgery area and, therefore, per Theodore, the use of Google Glass would not be inconveniencing. While using the device, radiographic images are transferred securely and no personal data that can tie back to the individual is given. The surgeon will be able to access the images while performing the surgery to aid them.
However, there are some minor niggles which need to be countered before Google Glass becomes common place in operating rooms. The device requires Wi-Fi in order to work and most OT's contain sensitive equipment which may interfere with the signals. Yet another problem is ensuring that the image and identifying information are stored separately.
Nonetheless, since the wearable technology's use is still at a nascent stage, with time these issues and concerns are expected to get resolved.
