Revolutionizing Operating Room Nursing: How Bharat Patel is Transforming Healthcare with Innovation and Expertise
Few have impacted healthcare in such a significant manner as Bharat Patel, whose unique set of nursing skills, as well as his technological innovations, transformed OR nursing. With more than 17 years’ worth of experience in advancing patient care, Patel has created efficiencies to help reduce nurse burnout and improve surgical outcomes.
Patel’s journey spans from veterinary surgery in India to developing cutting-edge healthcare technologies and becoming a clinical and informatics leader. To the world of nursing and especially the OR, Patel offers a redefinition of the post of an OR nurse in the 21st century.
A Childhood Spark Leads to a Lifelong Passion for Healthcare
Patel was keenly interested in science since his early childhood in Anand, Gujarat, India. Encouraged by his environment, including the dairy industry and academic family background, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science and a Master’s degree in Veterinary Surgery from Anand Agricultural University.
His initial experience with surgery ignited a strong passion for healthcare and patient treatment.
During his veterinary studies, Patel’s passion for surgical procedures began to take shape, mainly as he worked with complex surgeries on animals. This hands-on experience ignited his desire to transition into human healthcare.
After completing his veterinary studies, Patel moved to Australia and earned a Bachelor of Nursing from Flinders University in Adelaide.
It was during the clinical rotation at Flinders University Hospital that Patel knew his true calling was as an operating room nurse.
He was attracted to the dynamic nature of the operating room and the critical role nurses play in ensuring surgeries are successful. Thus, he chose to specialize in perioperative care.
But his dedication tested during the COVID-19 pandemic, Patel tirelessly worked in the operating room, wearing an N-95 mask and risking his life to save others, exemplifying the unwavering dedication of healthcare professionals in a global crisis.
A Career Built on Expertise and Innovation
Patel’s career as an operating room nurse encompasses numerous prestigious institutions across Australia, Canada, and the United States.
At Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Level 1 trauma centers in Albany, New York, Patel has supported complex surgeries and ensured top-tier patient care in the operating room.
Having worked in diverse specialties such as general surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, liver transplants, and trauma surgery, Patel excels in managing complex procedures. His communication and leadership strengths have made him a highly valued surgical team member.
With his clinical work, he also knows about using Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems, such as Cerner and EPIC.
His experience as an EPIC Super User and familiarity with OR documentation tools have led him to explore the intersection of healthcare and technology further.
This combination of clinical understanding and informatics skills prompted Patel to seek a Master of Science in Nursing, concentrating on Nursing Informatics, which he finished in 2023.
Patel’s background in software testing and database management enhanced his capacity to connect healthcare with technology.
Prior to concentrating solely on healthcare, Patel served as a Software Quality Assurance Analyst in Vancouver, Calgary, and Saskatchewan, leveraging his technical expertise to aid in the creation of healthcare software and informatics systems.
Research Work
Thesis Title:
Use of Interlocking Nails for Repair of Femoral and Tibial Fractures Using C-Arm Image Intensifier in Dogs
Link: Research Thesis on eGranth
URL: Research Thesis on Krishikosh
The ORN App: A Game-Changer for Surgical Teams
Patel’s most significant contribution to operating room nursing is the ORN (Operating Room Nurse) app, which is currently being developed. This application aims to simplify the everyday responsibilities of operating room nurses by offering them rapid access to crucial surgical data.
The application enables nurses to choose the surgery type, surgeon preferences, and necessary equipment for the procedure, greatly minimizing operating room turnover time and enhancing surgical efficiency.
Patel’s app will diminish nurse burnout, boost confidence, and assist in speeding up surgeries by providing surgeon preferences and essential supplies directly at a nurse’s fingertips.
Furthermore, it will aid in standardizing processes, minimizing the likelihood of mistakes, and enhancing patient results.
Leadership in Healthcare Informatics
In 2014, Patel expanded his career into healthcare informatics by joining eHealth Saskatchewan as a Clinical Informatics Specialist.
He implemented Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems across primary care clinics, training clinicians, receptionists, and lab staff there.
Patel’s experience with EMR systems and software quality assurance strengthens his ability to lead technological advancements in healthcare. His impact on nursing informatics is changing how patient data is managed, ensuring the highest quality care, and optimizing healthcare staff workflows.
A Vision for the Future of Operating Room Nursing
Patel’s work is just beginning. Preparing for Board Certification in Nursing Informatics and aiming for CNOR (Certified Nurse Operating Room) certification, Patel envisions a future in which operating room nurses utilize intelligent, real-time systems to improve patient care, reduce stress, and achieve better surgical outcomes.
Patel plans to broaden the ORN app’s functionality by integrating real-time data analysis and decision-making tools, improving nurses’ ability to predict patient needs and allowing surgical teams to make faster decisions.
To advance his career, Patel is a member of professional organizations, reads scholarly journals, and is committed to ongoing education. He plans to pursue a Family Nurse Practitioner degree to enhance his clinical knowledge.
Patel’s continuous drive to innovate and expand his skills includes the development of his ORN app, which will be used by operating room staff, including nurses, doctors, and managers, to improve overall efficiency and patient care.
Patel is working on an advanced operating nurse app (compatible with iOS, Android, and web) designed to streamline operating room preparation, reduce intra-operative time, and enhance workflow and patient outcomes.
A Pioneer in Healthcare Innovation
Bharat Patel’s career exemplifies how innovation and expertise can transform a field. Patel redefines modern nursing from his work as an operating room nurse to developing the ORN app.
His clinical expertise and technology-driven solutions improve healthcare outcomes, reduce nurse burnout, and enhance patient care. Patel’s contributions to nursing informatics and healthcare technology leave a lasting impact, shaping the future of healthcare through transformative apps and innovative practices.
About the Author
Jordan A. Michaels is a healthcare writer and consultant with over a decade of experience in hospital systems and healthcare tech startups. He focuses on innovations that improve patient care and streamline workflows. Outside of writing, Jordan enjoys hiking and volunteering at local health clinics.
