title: Robotic-assisted surgery and the need for standardized pathways and clinical guidelines.
abstract: Robotic surgical techniques are revolutionizing the way surgery is performed in an effort to improve patient outcomes. Although current literature is limited, studies have shown that patients who undergo robotic-assisted procedures experience reduced surgical time, scarring, blood loss, pain, infection rates, and lengths of stay compared with patients who undergo open or laparoscopic procedures. Currently, start-up costs for robotic systems are high and include the major equipment purchase as well as supplemental equipment purchases and staff member training. There is a need to develop standardized perioperative procedures or clinical guidelines that define optimal application of robotic-assisted surgery to ensure a standard of care that is consistent across procedures and operators. Implementing a clinical pathway or guideline that is guided by evidence-based practice will involve change. Lewin's 1947 basic change theory and the Marker umbrella model may be of use to help facilitate change.
authors: Indiana State University, Terre Haute, USA.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Walters
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Eley
mesh_terms: D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012371:Robotics; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*