Clinical Scorecard: Simplifying the Surgical Experience

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• A product’s workflow includes transport, storage, locating, unpacking, preparation, intraoperative handling, disposal, and room turnover.
• The author notes that small unnecessary steps can add time and complexity in high-volume ophthalmic operating rooms.
• The author describes designing products so correct actions feel natural rather than relying on additional instructions or remembered steps.
• The author describes observing users from early concepts through prototype evaluation, usability work, and design validation.
• The author says feedback is sought from experienced and early-career surgeons, users from different geographies and genders, and other surgical team members.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

Management

Monitoring & Follow-up

Risks

Patient & Prescribing Data

Not discussed; the article focuses on surgical teams and product workflow rather than patient characteristics.

No treatment or prescribing recommendations are provided.

Clinical Best Practices

• The author recommends considering the full product experience, including preparation, handling, disposal, and room turnover.
• The author describes observing users interacting with existing technologies and prototypes to identify hesitation, unexpected actions, and time-consuming steps.
• The author notes that symbols, arrows, color, haptic feedback, and auditory signals can guide users.
• The author describes including representative surgeons and other surgical staff in development, usability evaluation, and design validation.
• The author emphasizes considering whether workflow improvements can remove or simplify a step rather than add features or instructions.

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