Surgical Black Box May Sew up Malpractice Cases

Researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto are testing the OR Black Box® - technology designed to enhance patient safety and surgical performance. The system uses cameras, microphones, and sensors to document critical aspects of an operation, such as physiological data, environmental conditions, and key procedural events. The aim is to objectively reconstruct surgeries to identify errors, improve team performance, and prevent future mistakes.

However, the potential use of this data in medical malpractice lawsuits raises concerns. While some see it as a way to protect both patients and surgeons by providing an unbiased account of events, others worry it could fuel litigation.