Need Advice for Standardizing Our Orthopedic Implants

I am looking for other facilities that have standardized their orthopaedic implants. We are a 3 room surgery center and 70% of our cases performed are ortho. I am interested in information to get our surgeons interested and on board with a change!

Started by: Karole Kent (Administrator/Director/Manager/Owner/Exec. Officer) at December 1, 2009 (10:21 am)

Comments and Responses

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Good luck but it is doable. The question needs to be redefined as to what implants are you speaking of since there about as many as there are hairs on one's head.

I could presume you are spekaing of shoulder devices like arrows and the like or are you taking about total joint implants or a particular MCP joint implant or foot procedure implant or plates and screws or all of the above?

Presuming all of the above, first you need to have a procedure in place to evaluate any new item that the surgeons might wish to trial and the vendors need to understand in plain ENGLISH that during the trial, the implants are FREE to the center and you will not be paying for any of them. Develop an evaluation form for the new items and tell the surgeons they need to complete them after the complete their procedure (No Tickee - No Washee).

Determine the price of the item(s) and what they will replace and the cost of that item or those items and let the surgeons know about the cost difference. The will usually make the right decision. If the product is that vastly superior, price will not enter into the equation as much as if the items are similar to what is already on hand. If the cost of the new product is higher, they will stick with the old one. If the price is slightly lower, they will usually stick with the old one until they are used up and then may switch. If you are going to bring in a new item that the surgeons will use and have old implants left on the shelf, the new vendor needs to take them off your hands where you get credit or extra new items for no-charge.

That should get you started.

Stuart Katz (Administrator/Director/Manager/Owner/Exec. Officer) at December 1, 2009 (10:44 am)

Hello,
I find with the right communication and the proper information on hand most surgeons do care about cost. DO- Communicate any changes to their normal procedure, DO- Tell the surgeon prior to surgery you are trialing an item. DO NOT- spring it on the surgeon after they have scrubbed in. Put the new product in their hands before point of use. COMMUNICATION IS KEY. I know this should all be automatic but im sure all of you have seen this scenario handed all wrong.

Stephen S. (Other) at December 15, 2009 (8:27 am)

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