Healthcare 4.0 technologies for patient transfer in operating theatres: a systematic review

Abstract

Safe patient transfer in operating theatres is vital yet often neglected, exposing healthcare workers to musculoskeletal injuries and patients to avoidable risks. Healthcare 4.0 combining Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), robotics, and cloud computing offers solutions for safer and more efficient workflows. This systematic review of 32 studies (2019–2023) found that AI predicts complications, robotics reduce caregiver strain by up to 40 %, IoMT supports continuous monitoring, and cloud platforms streamline operations. However, in low- and middle-income countries such as Zimbabwe, adoption is hindered by cost, infrastructure, and skills gaps, requiring phased, low-cost digital integration.