Apella FAQ
đź’ˇ Get answers to commonly asked questions to help you understand how Apella works, why it matters, and what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the benefits of Apella?
Where are Apella's cameras installed?
What data does Apella collect?
How is data stored and managed?
Who has access to Apella data?
Will vendors / external collaborators have access?
How will Apella help me in my role?
Where can I go for questions or support?
Apella Overview
What is Apella?
Apella uses ambient video technology and artificial intelligence, combined with EHR data, to provide you with real-time OR visibility, case and turnover delay predictions, automated alerts, and detailed efficiency reporting.
With Apella, you'll be able to:
- âś… Track live case and room status at a glance
- âś… Spot potential delays early to adjust staffing or cases
- âś… Automate notifications to surgeons and staff
- âś… Improve first-case starts and turnover efficiency
What Apella is not
Apella is designed to track workflows—not individuals.
❌ No facial recognition |
❌ Not a behavior monitoring system |
❌ Not part of the medical record |
What are the benefits of Apella?
Apella makes it easier to coordinate care, respond to changes, and keep your ORs running on time — so your team can stay focused on patients, not logistics.
âś… Track live case and room status at a glance
Stay on top of which cases are starting, running, or turning over — all from one view.
âś… Spot potential delays early
Get ahead of bottlenecks so you can reassign staff or shift cases proactively.
âś… Automate notifications to surgeons and team members
Reduce back-and-forth phone calls and streamline communication.
âś… Improve first-case starts and turnover efficiency
See where delays happen and where workflows can improve.
Data, Privacy & Security
Where are Apella’s cameras installed?
Each OR is equipped with four fixed-position cameras, one on each wall. Cameras are strategically placed (with site leadership input) to capture workflow-relevant events.
- No zooming in
- Fixed placement once installed
What does Apella collect?
Apella detects key procedural milestones using visual cues - not people:
- Patient arrival and departure
- Bed transfers
- Draping
- Cleaning (mop out)
- Back table prep
Apella identifies events and objects, not identities.
How is data stored and managed?
- Video feeds are encrypted and used only for model training and quality assurance
- All footage is auto-deleted after 28 days
- No videos are tied to patient records or stored long-term
- Footage is not reviewed unless part of an approved QA workflow
Who has access to Apella data?
- Access is provisioned by your organization based on business and clinical need
- Data is owned by your organization
- Equipment is provided and maintained by Apella
Using Apella
Where will Apella be used?
Apella will be utilized in the contracted operating rooms, supporting day-to-day surgical flow.
How do I access Apella?
If you are a provisioned user:
- Go to [dashboard.apella.io]
- Log in with your organizations credentials via SSO
- You’re in!
Will vendors or external collaborators have access?
Yes—your organization has the ability to grant access to vendors if needed, based on clinical partnerships or support roles.
How Apella Helps Your Role
Role |
How Apella Supports You |
| Surgeons | Stay on track with real-time text alerts and room status. Remove delays from your day without micromanaging. |
| Anesthesia/CRNA | Use forecasted case timings to plan your staffing. Track progress with video-based status updates. |
| Control Desk | Gain live oversight of all ORs-prioritize by room or phase. |
| PreOp & PACU | Apella's forecasted schedule helps you prep and receive patients more predictably. |
| OR Nurses/Techs | Know which rooms need attention during turnover. Stay informed without chasing status updates. |
| Schedulers | Use real-time data and modeling to adjust the day dynamically. Reduce underutilization and overtime. |
| Practice Leaders | Analyze verified data to identify workflow bottlenecks, improve throughput, and measure gains. |
| Patients | Indirectly benefit from fewer delays, smoother transitions, and more on-time care. |
Who else is using Apella?
Apella is trusted by leading academic and community health systems, including high-volume surgical environments.
It has helped partner sites:
- Improve first-case on-time rates
- Decrease room turnover time
- Increase provider satisfaction and case volume
(Optional: Add 1–2 high-level stats or case study blurbs from existing sites)
Questions?
Ask your organizational leaders or email:
đź“© support@apella.io