According to a recent online survey of Outpatient Surgery Magazine readers, less than half of you have installed HD video systems in some or all of your ORs. That means many of you may find yourselves in the position of shopping around for high-def cameras and monitors in the coming years — a potentially daunting task for the uninitiated. Here are some tips from the "early adopters" who have already taken the HD plunge.
Get to know the technology. You don’t have to become an expert, but it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the basic components of an HD video system: the source (cameras), distribution (cabling and routers) and destination (display monitors).
Be realistic. Not every facility needs or can afford to invest in a large-scale HD transformation. Take the time to assess your surgeons’ needs, and base your purchasing decisions accordingly. For example, you may want to start by purchasing HD cameras when your old ones need replacing and upgrade the rest of the equipment as your budget allows.
Seek vendor support. "The system is as good as the representative that supports it," says Carolyn McKee, RN, CNOR, bariatric program coordinator at Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville, Ind. Try negotiating on-site vendor assistance into your purchase agreement.
For more tips from the experts, see "All Hail the High-Def OR" from OSM’s July 2008 issue.
—Irene Tsikitas
