Johnson & Johnson Shares Global Insights on the Future of Surgical Software

Johnson & Johnson MedTech  today released a report detailing the expected benefits and ongoing challenges in digital surgery. Titled “Surgical software: what’s next in connected surgery,” the analysis shows near-unanimous agreement from clinicians that global data standards and interoperability are key to unlocking the benefits of surgical software, from improved care to reduced costs.

With the increased availability of technology and demand for software and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve surgical outcomes, surgeons are often challenged to balance the potential impact new technology can make, and the complexity that each new tool brings with it into the OR. In response to surgeon feedback, Johnson & Johnson MedTech commissioned a survey of nearly 700 clinicians across 600 surgical facilities in 15 countries to put collective clinician voices behind the global, persistent challenges and their proposed path forward.  

“This report confirms what we regularly hear from surgeons, who know that data-driven surgery will improve healthcare but are frustrated with the experience,” said Shan Jegatheeswaran, global head of Digital, Johnson & Johnson MedTech. “This isn’t just about software—it’s about what happens when every part of the operating room can finally speak the same language. The future of surgery requires a new kind of connection in which people, data, and tools move in synch to deliver better care.”  

Complexity Limits Surgical Software’s Potential

Software, AI solutions, and other digitally-driven adoptions have improved physician learning, patient outcomes, and costs related to surgery, and more than 95% of surgeons say that better surgical software would improve care, according to the study.

Realizing the benefits of data-driven surgery requires access to data and broad adoption of solutions that provide insights. However, clinicians say they are challenged in both areas. The survey found that 97% of surgeons cannot access or use patient data in a timely way, and hospitals that have deployed surgical software only use the technology in about 50% of cases due to cumbersome experiences and insufficient connectivity.

Clinicians say the sheer number of technologies in the OR only adds to the challenge. The average operating room (OR) uses more than seven software solutions, more than four hardware device manufacturers, and more than five data streams, with respondents describing the current digital OR as “a patchwork quilt of different solutions” resulting in a “siloed” and “archaic” experience.  

Accelerating Outcomes Through a ‘Unified Hub’

Clinicians are optimistic about the path forward: 98% believe the key to unlocking broader benefits and a better surgical software experience is a system of global data standards and software interoperability. They are asking “the same interoperability that exists in the consumer space” be brought to the surgery experience, according to the study.  

Respondents believe a “unified hub” would provide a trusted environment not only to accelerate innovation, but also to provide connectivity for seamless, timely, compliant access to data and insights.

“In my 30 years as a clinician, I have seen that variability remains a challenge globally across all types of surgery,” said Peter Schulam, M.D., Ph. D., chief scientific officer, Johnson & Johnson MedTech. “Clinicians need new insights that help democratize judgement and improve surgical outcomes. A complete feedback loop across the perioperative experience will advance this next stage of software-enabled surgery, and it requires an open, inclusive approach that puts patients first.”

Johnson & Johnson’s Surgical Solutions has helped advance surgical care through its product portfolio across wound closure, adjunctive hemostats, surgical stapling and instruments, robotics and digital solutions. Together, with clinicians and healthcare experts worldwide, Johnson & Johnson Surgical Solutions is progressing new innovations to better solve patient needs in metabolic and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and aesthetics and reconstruction.

Through its expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, Johnson & Johnson innovates across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions to deliver healthcare breakthroughs in cardiovascular, orthopedics, surgery, and vision solutions.