Automation Potential in the Workflow of a Scrub Nurse

Peter Schmid (), Max B. Schäfer, Nina M. Stadel, Peter P. Pott and Thomas Maier
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Peter Schmid: University of Stuttgart, Institute for Engineering Design and Industrial Design, Research and Teaching Department, Industrial Design Engineering, Stuttgart, Germany
Max B. Schäfer: University of Stuttgart, Institute of Medical Device Technology, Stuttgart, Germany
Nina M. Stadel: University of Stuttgart, Institute for Engineering Design and Industrial Design, Research and Teaching Department, Industrial Design Engineering, Stuttgart, Germany
Peter P. Pott: University of Stuttgart, Institute of Medical Device Technology, Stuttgart, Germany
Thomas Maier: University of Stuttgart, Institute for Engineering Design and Industrial Design, Research and Teaching Department, Industrial Design Engineering, Stuttgart, Germany

Interdisciplinary Description of Complex Systems - scientific journal, 2025, vol. 23, issue 2, 110-117

Abstract: One of the heavily burdened actors in the operating theatre is the scrub nurse who is responsible for the organized and orderly workflow in the operating theatre. One of the main tasks of the scrub nurse is to perform quick and appropriate instrumentation because fast and proactive instrumentation is crucial for the success of the operation. The actual deficiency of specialist staff in the healthcare sector is motivating the automation of repetitive tasks and simple work steps in order to relieve staff in the future and free up capacity for complex and important activities. A robotic assistance system appears to be a suitable solution for many of these challenges. The vision is to develop advanced assistance systems for the handling of instruments in future surgical procedures. In this work, surgery of the carpal tunnel was chosen as example task. The focus lied on the type and scope of the individual working steps. The analysis was carried out by video analyses and by observing corresponding surgical procedures. Based on the results of the analysis, potentials for improving the workflow were derived and requirements for a robotic assistance system were defined.

Keywords: workflow; human-machine interaction; ergonomics; robotic assistance system; scrub nurse (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I12 J81 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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