By the FL Innovation News editorial team · Health
In U.S. hospitals, a single minute of downtime in the operating room costs around $3,000, yet inefficiencies—often preventable—lead to billions in wasted resources. During the panel discussion, “The Future of Healthcare: Revolutionizing Patient Care through AI and Digital Innovation,” held last Friday at the Tampa Bay Wave offices in downtown Tampa, healthcare experts Scott Arnold, Executive Vice President & Chief Digital and Innovation Officer of Tampa General, Senator Jay Collins, Florida State Senator & decorated Special Forces soldier and medic, and Dr. Sandeep Chauhan, veteran orthopedic surgeon & CEO of UK-based company Definition Health, examined how artificial intelligence (AI) can transform patient care, optimize surgical workflows, and help overburdened healthcare workers. The conversation touched on the balance between data and humanity, the importance of personalized care, and the need for collaboration between public and private sectors to ensure innovation flourishes.
The inefficiencies in the healthcare system, particularly in hospitals, are largely due to the limitations of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs). Dr. Chauhan points out that while EMRs are an essential part of the healthcare system, they are not designed to manage the entirety of a patient’s journey, which starts before and continues after the information entered into the EMR. EMRs, he explains, are large and cumbersome systems that do not adapt quickly to more specific, agile solutions.
“Hospitals are often overwhelmed by a wide variety of technological solutions, which, if not integrated well, can complicate rather than simplify healthcare processes,” Chauhan says. He points out that operating rooms (ORs) are crucial to hospital operations, as they handle most patient procedures. Yet inefficiencies in OR management, such as empty operating rooms, can cost hospitals millions of dollars. He states that in the U.S., each minute of OR time can cost around $3,000, and the financial loss from inefficiencies can add up to billions of dollars annually. Beyond the financial impact, these inefficiencies cause significant stress and pain for both patients and surgeons.
Chauhan puts it clearly, “51% of all surgeries are delayed on the day of the procedure due to patients not being properly optimized for surgery. This leads to poor outcomes and coding errors, which reflect negatively on surgeons.” He suggests that hospitals need tools to engage with patients and their support networks well before their surgical journey begins. By “consumerizing” healthcare information—making it accessible and effective—hospitals can better prepare patients, helping them optimize their health before surgery.
By gathering data on patients before and after surgery, healthcare providers can identify modifiable risks that could improve surgical outcomes. This preemptive approach allows healthcare teams to intervene earlier and optimize patient care. Chauhan advocates for personalized surgical journeys, where surgeons can adapt their procedures to each patient,“Imagine being able to tailor your surgical procedure for Patient A versus Patient B, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.” Tailoring surgical practices to individual patients can improve patient outcomes significantly.
AI has the potential to change this narrative by optimizing patient care before, during, and after surgery. With AI tools, hospitals can engage patients early, improving their health outcomes while significantly reducing cancellations and downtime in operating rooms.
While AI offers efficiency and precision, panelists stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between data-driven decisions and the human touch in healthcare. Senator Collins shared his experiences from his time in the military, where critically injured patients were kept alive despite AI predictions of low survival chances.
“As a human, with my hands on them, I knew they could survive because I knew who they were individually,” Senator Collins reflected. “You have to balance humanity against data.”
This poignant reminder highlights a key theme in the discussion: while AI can enhance care, healthcare providers must never lose sight of the person behind the data. The panelists agreed that AI should be seen as a tool to assist—not replace—healthcare professionals, allowing them to focus on what matters most: patient care.
The pandemic exacerbated healthcare worker burnout, but it also accelerated innovation. AI could play a crucial role in alleviating some of the burdens healthcare professionals face.
“The pandemic amplified a problem that was already there and it started to get worse in terms of burnout shortages,” said Scott Arnold, VP & Chief Digital and Innovation Officer of Tampa General, “AI and automation are being embraced to take the load off our people who are caring for patients.”
These technologies are already streamlining administrative tasks, allowing healthcare workers to devote more time and attention to patient care.
“As we deploy technology, we want to ensure that it’s safe; the way that we’re looking at it now is not in terms of replacing people, but in an assistive context, very similar to what autopilot did for the aviation industry,” says Arnold, “Giving that sort of load reduction and automation to support the hardworking teams taking care of patients.”
Public-private partnerships play a critical role in driving healthcare innovation. By working together, governments and private companies can ensure that AI technology is deployed safely and effectively without stifling innovation through overregulation.
The Senator explained, “I don’t want the government rushing to a solution because of fear or bad data or simply because we’ve fallen in love with a concept. We need thought leaders from all industries to come together.”
This collaborative approach allows for the development of healthcare technologies that benefit patients while maintaining oversight to prevent unintended consequences. The panel emphasized that government and industry leaders need to stay present and engaged to ensure that AI solutions serve the greater good.
Panelists also discussed the potential of AI to bridge healthcare disparities, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Drawing on personal experiences, Senator Collins noted, “There are places in West Virginia that are as austere as the places I served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the jungles of Columbia and South America.” These areas often face severe healthcare shortages, and AI could help by delivering remote care, offering diagnostic tools, and providing patients with actionable data.
However, education is key. Patients, particularly in underserved regions, need to be equipped with knowledge about how their choices affect their health. “We don’t have to force people to do one thing or the other, but we need to give them objective data so they can make informed decisions for themselves,” one expert said.
As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, AI holds great promise for improving efficiency, personalizing patient care, and alleviating the pressures on overworked healthcare professionals. But as the panelists made clear, this technology must be implemented thoughtfully, with careful consideration of the human element that lies at the heart of medicine.
AI will play an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of healthcare, but its success depends on collaboration, thoughtful regulation, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of patients and healthcare workers alike. As Senator Collins aptly put it, “We have to make sure that as we innovate, we never forget the emotions and humanity behind every decision.”
