Reflections on #ANES2024: Advancing surgical care through collaboration and innovation

Earlier this month, I had the incredible opportunity to represent Definition Health at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2024, the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, alongside our Head of US Commercial, Paul Carson. The event brought together leading experts in anaesthesiology to address the challenges and solutions shaping the future of surgical care. 

It was an inspiring few days filled with thought-provoking discussions and insightful presentations. As someone deeply invested in the role technology plays in advancing healthcare, I felt the conference reinforced the importance of collaboration and innovation. Here are some of my key takeaways from the event.

1. Balancing patient safety with patient flow
   A recurring theme at the conference was the challenge of balancing increased patient flow with maintaining patient safety. Pre-operative care was highlighted as a cornerstone of high-quality surgical outcomes. Inefficient communication in the pre-operative phase often leads to delays, cancellations, and complications - issues that are further exacerbated by current economic and workforce pressures. What stood out most to me was the collective commitment to ensuring that care remains patient-centered. Even as hospitals and anaesthesiology teams work to optimise processes and improve efficiency, safety must remain the top priority.  
   
   
2. Pre-optimisation of patients prior to surgery
   The importance of proactively addressing patients’ modifiable comorbidities was a key focus. By managing these factors ahead of surgery, healthcare providers can reduce the likelihood of complications, cancellations, and post-operative readmissions. Another significant point of discussion was engaging patients earlier in their surgical journey. By empowering patients with the right information and tools, anaesthesiology teams can ensure smoother, safer procedures. At Definition Health, we’re proud that our LifeBox solution supports these efforts by streamlining pre-operative assessments and enabling care teams to identify and mitigate risks effectively.  
   
   
3. Better resource utilisation through risk stratification
   Hospital capacity challenges were another hot topic at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2024. There is a growing need for robust patient risk stratification to allocate resources effectively. Directing lower-complexity patients to outpatient settings while reserving inpatient facilities for higher-risk cases can free up clinical capacity and reduce the strain on care teams. These discussions underscored the critical role of digital tools in helping healthcare providers make data-driven decisions to optimise resource allocation. It was exciting to see this topic taking centre stage.  

Attending ANESTHESIOLOGY 2024 was an invaluable experience that reinforced the importance of innovation, collaboration, and patient-centred approaches in anaesthesiology. As Definition Health continues to expand its presence in the US, the insights gained from this conference will guide our efforts to develop solutions that address real-world challenges. By optimising care at every stage of the surgical journey, we aim to support healthcare teams in delivering safer, more efficient, and patient-focused care. 

At Definition Health, we provide digital solutions that enhance pre- and post-operative care, improve patient engagement, and optimise surgical pathways. Book a demo today to learn more about how we can help your team transform surgical care.