For the last few years, the use of artificial intelligence and robot-assisted surgery has been surged in the healthcare sector. The major reason AI is transforming the way the medical professionals function on a fundamental level is the efficiency it promises and the number of tasks it assists with. Considering industry reports, 1.75 million robotic surgical procedures performed during the last 14 years in the US alone.

Robotics enables general surgeons to operate with extreme precision. It assists them by accessing areas of the body that may difficult or even impossible to reach with the human hand. Robotic surgery is a form of laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgery wherein a computer-controlled robot helps surgeons during the surgery procedure.

By using a robotic arm during surgery enhances the precision of the human eye and provides more control over every position and movement.

Impact of Robot-Assisted Surgery

The innovation in technology in recent years has advanced surgical practices, resulting in more improved patient outcomes. Previously, traditional open surgery was challenged by the advent of minimally invasive surgery. This allows surgeons to perform operations using small key-hole incisions, through which cameras and laparoscopic instruments are passed.

This surgical procedure removes much of the abdominal access trauma, and in turn, provides several benefits to patients, from less postoperative pain and shorter hospitalization to quickly return to normal function, and improved cosmetic effect. Also, this surgical procedure is cost-effective for healthcare providers thanks to shorter inpatient stay and lessened wound care costs.

However, this laparoscopic surgery can be technically challenging to perform, due to the two-dimensional operative image and instruments that are not able to move freely. Thus, surgeons who use the robotic system find it boosts precision, flexibility and control during the surgery. It also enables them to better see the site against traditional systems.

While robotic surgery makes minimally invasive surgery possible, it offers numerous benefits to patients, including shorter hospitalization, reduced pain and uneasiness, faster recovery time and return to normal activities.

AI in Healthcare Enables Nurses to Take More Responsibilities

AI makes it easier for the healthcare industry to leverage electronic health records (EHR) which are now standard in medical institutions of all sizes. AI not just automates some of the work that must be done to maintain EHR, saving time and foiling burnout, but it also employs data analysis to foresee patients’ risk factors. It can even assist to carry out antibiotic resistance risks by providing insights on uncertainties and infection patterns.

AI can also free up nurses to work on creativity and that work requires human intuition as they can get assistance from it to perform routine and repetitive tasks. Rather than sanitizing equipment or rushing around vital signs check-ups, nurses have the opportunity to grow in their careers and advance their skills in patient treatment.

Thus, considering these impacts, influences and advancements, AI and robotic surgery have a massive impact on the healthcare system, assisting medical practitioners, surgeons and nurses to make better decisions on patient care.