Digital Transformation in Anesthesia Care: Implications for the Future Role of Anesthesia Technologists

Abstract

Digital transformation is increasingly reshaping anesthesia care through the integration of electronic health records, anesthesia information management systems, advanced monitoring, artificial intelligence, clinical decision-support tools, automation, closed-loop drug delivery, and smart operating room technologies. These developments are changing how anesthesia is planned, delivered, monitored, documented, and evaluated. As essential members of the anesthesia care team, anesthesia technologists are directly affected by this transformation. This narrative review discusses the impact of digital transformation on anesthesia care and examines its implications for the future role, responsibilities, and competencies of anesthesia technologists. The review highlights that digital technologies may improve patient safety, enhance workflow efficiency, support early risk detection, reduce selected errors, and strengthen quality improvement. However, these technologies also introduce challenges related to training, cybersecurity, data privacy, alarm fatigue, algorithmic bias, data quality, and overreliance on automation. The future role of anesthesia technologists is expected to expand beyond traditional equipment preparation and intraoperative assistance toward digital system readiness, equipment integration, troubleshooting, data quality support, electronic documentation assistance, alarm management, and patient safety activities. Preparing anesthesia technologists for this future requires structured education, continuous professional development, simulation-based training, institutional support, and clear role definitions.