Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for improved clinical workflow using gesture recognition. Certain embodiments provide a method for gesture-based interaction in a clinical environment. The method includes detecting a gesture in a thin-air display space. The method also includes identifying the detected gesture. The method further includes translating the identified gesture to a corresponding healthcare application function. Certain embodiments provide a gesture detection system. The system includes a thin-air display space defined by at least one sensor configured to detect a gesture performed in the thin-air display space. The system also includes a processor configured to identify the gesture and translate the gesture to a corresponding healthcare application function.