Lovisenberg Diakonale Sykehus (LDS), in collaboration with Deepinsight, is tackling the challenge of growing waiting lists and long wait times head-on. Through close cooperation, surgical planners from the Orthopaedics and Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) departments have been instrumental in the development and implementation of Deepinsight Hero—an innovative AI-based software designed to optimize resource utilization and streamline patient scheduling for surgery.
Heroes with pen and paper
For years, surgical planners have operated under challenging conditions, managing complex patient needs with limited resources—often relying solely on pen and paper. These planners are the backbone of the clinic’s daily operations, ensuring the efficient use of resources and equitable patient care, all while striving to reduce waiting times.
“We are incredibly impressed with what the planners have accomplished with the tools they’ve had. They’re already our heroes—now we’re equipping them with extra superpowers that benefit everyone,” says Olav Willumsen Haugå, CEO of Deepinsight.
With the introduction of Deepinsight Hero, the planners have taken on the role of pioneers in driving technological change. Their experience, dedication, and openness to learning, testing, and adapting to new solutions have been critical in shaping the tool into an integral part of daily hospital operations.
“The advantage of using the software during development is that we’ve had the opportunity to provide input and shape its functionality,” says Benedikte Kielland, Operations Planner at LDS.
“It doesn’t feel forced; it feels like we’re part of creating a tool that will genuinely help us in the future,” adds surgical planner Grete Sætre.
From challenges to progress
The implementation of Deepinsight Hero began in the spring of 2024 with the onboarding of the first users. After testing and adjustments, it was the surgical planners in the orthopedics department who first adopted the tool. The digitalization of room allocation and the implementation of a new, dynamic capacity model quickly gave planners a comprehensive overview of the surgical program. Furthermore, functionality for overview and suggestions for available capacity was introduced, allowing it to be used for assigning patients to surgeries.
By summer 2024, the ENT department followed suit, making Hero the primary planning tool for the entire surgical clinic.
“I no longer use paper for surgery planning—not even when working from home. Hero is now my go-to tool. While it sometimes felt like extra work in the beginning, I can already see that the effort is paying off,” says Benedikte Kielland.
Several milestones were achieved throughout the fall of 2024; a new staffing model was introduced, enabling the clinic to generate automatic staffing proposals using AI technology. Patient administration via the waiting list also received a significant boost, as surgery planners could create actual waiting lists based on their own criteria and associated functionality. Last but not least, Deepinsight Hero was integrated with DIPS as a one-way solution, allowing data to be retrieved directly from the patient record system DIPS into Deepinsight Hero. Work is currently in progress to achieve a fully seamless two-way integration, enabling planners to schedule and book surgeries directly from Deepinsight Hero back into DIPS.
Hero unites the clinic
Change can be challenging, but Deepinsight has demonstrated that close collaboration and user-centered solutions lead to lasting improvements. At LDS, Hero has become a catalyst for data-driven surgical planning, presented through a modern and intuitive interface.
“Change disrupts established cultures and workflows,” explains Deputy Clinic Manager Henrik Hofgaard.
“What’s unique about Deepinsight is how they immersed themselves in the needs of clinicians and developed a tool tailored to its users. Instead of forcing clinicians to adapt to the system, Hero was built around the realities of healthcare professionals’ work.”
The result? Less frustration, better logistics, enhanced patient safety, and improved treatment quality.
“The amount of work during the insights phase surprised me, but what amazed me even more was how quickly the system worked once it was implemented,” Hofgaard adds.
Today, Hero serves as a central hub, consolidating vast amounts of data and making it easily accessible. This has strengthened collaboration between disciplines and laid the groundwork for a new way of working.
Watch the video about LDS’s journey: Link to video
Results that inspire
The collaboration between Deepinsight and LDS has delivered tangible results:
🚑 The waiting list for full-day orthopedics and ENT day surgery has been reduced by almost 20% 📈 Activity levels in the wards have increased by over 10% ⏳ Planning time has been significantly reduced, freeing up healthcare staff for more patient-centered work
“Not having enough time to follow up with patients or fully use my skills as a nurse has been a source of guilt. Deepinsight Hero makes me believe I can change that,” says Benedikte Kielland.
An inspiration for other hospitals
The planners at LDS have transformed their routines, evolving from paper-based systems to fully embracing Hero as their preferred tool. Their journey illustrates how technology, developed in close collaboration with end users, can drive meaningful change in healthcare.
In fall 2025, representatives from other hospitals visited LDS to learn from their experience and see Hero in action.
“It’s incredible how much functionality has been packed into a system that appears simple but solves so many challenges,” says Hanne Rusten Solås, Head of Department at LDS.
“Deep insights and close collaboration are the foundation for effective change and lasting improvements,” adds Mikal Erga, Customer Success Manager at Deepinsight.
“Bringing together skilled surgical planners with dedicated Deepinsight employees has been key to our success. This is just the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration between Lovisenberg and Deepinsight,” Erga concludes.