Advice on laparscopic towers?

[mhy12784]

So the OR I work in is trialing laparscopic towers from all the major companies. The technology were using now is ancient (the connections are the old rgb from like Super Nintendo)

I'm involved in the process quite a bit, and I feel like there aren't many people in the process who know much about it.

Anyone have any advice on the different technology or brands of towers? Thoughts on 4k, 3d, 55 inch monitors and all that nonsense?

Anyone have any good articles that could help out with this kind of thing? I'm really trying to step up and take ownership of this thing, because I don't know who else will.

Also I'm kinda basing all my knowledge of the towers after my own experience with TV shopping since the two seem heavily interwoven

Thanks so much for any help!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Have you been getting opinions from those using the towers? Staff on ease of use, surgeons on experiences using them? Any time we bring a new product into our OR as a potential replacement for something old or outdated, the surgeons are given a survey to fill out. All of that information is used in deciding which products are brought in and which are turned down.

[mhy12784]

I have

I probably do more laparscopic cases than anybody (as its pretty much all I do) and the surgeons fill out the forms as well.

Unfortunately the surgeons also just check off all 5s (as they can't waste their time filling out a form).

My big concern is though nobody really knows anything about how this stuff all holds up over time, and whether any of this new technology is actually worth it or just gimmicky (3d 4k etc). Personally I think its all a gimmick, but some of the surgeons are actually into it.

[4nursetech]

Whatever you decide, the towers should have wireless capability. this will allow you to have a secondary monitor that you "mirror" with the main tower.

[mhy12784]

Ah yeah our old ones have that, and I imagine any new ones will as well

Its crazy how few resources there are for this kind of stuff (or if there are, how hard they are to find)

I wouldnt even know where to begin to look.

I feel like just reading threads on how to shop for a new TV are probably my best bet.

[peabozzle]

I have been an OR nurse for 13+ years. I have used almost every laparoscopic system out there. I have my favorite :) This is what I know: 4K is basically worthless. Blind studies have shown the human eye cannot detect the difference between 3K & 4K. Our surgeons couldn't tell. Bigger monitors are nice.....if you can afford them. What really matters is the PICTURE the camera head is delivering....if it's no good, its gonna look worse on a big screen! Some of the technology out there is handy, like some the filters they have can really make a difference when you are in a joint, or a bloody sinus case. My favorite system can even personalize the system so when you turn it on & load a case for Dr SO&SO, the filters are automatically set to what they like. The second most important thing (In my opinion) is how intuitive the system is. Is it easy to use....can you look at it & basically know what you are supposed to do? Most of them are pretty easy, so this really is a personal preference. The other thing that is very important is their service history. When there is a problem, who do you call? Is there someone local that can help you, or are they selling you something & you will never hear from them again? Good luck!