Reducing instruments in a vitrectomy surgical tray: cost savings and results from a major academic hospital

Abstract Background Unused or rarely used instruments in standard surgical trays can unnecessarily increase costs. Prior studies have demonstrated the practicality and cost savings of reduced instrument tray sizes in various subspecialties. This study describes results and estimated cost savings fro...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jacob D. Grodsky, Christos N. Theophanous, Sidney A. Schechet, Peter B. Veldman, Seenu M. Hariprasad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2020-06-01
Series:International Journal of Retina and Vitreous
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40942-020-00215-2
_version_ 1818325246778802176
author Jacob D. Grodsky
Christos N. Theophanous
Sidney A. Schechet
Peter B. Veldman
Seenu M. Hariprasad
author_facet Jacob D. Grodsky
Christos N. Theophanous
Sidney A. Schechet
Peter B. Veldman
Seenu M. Hariprasad
author_sort Jacob D. Grodsky
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Unused or rarely used instruments in standard surgical trays can unnecessarily increase costs. Prior studies have demonstrated the practicality and cost savings of reduced instrument tray sizes in various subspecialties. This study describes results and estimated cost savings from a reduced instrument tray used for vitrectomy surgery at a large, tertiary academic medical center. Methods Common usage patterns of vitrectomy instruments by one retina surgeon were reviewed and a reduced instrument vitrectomy tray was created and implemented in successive vitrectomy surgeries. Need for opening the previously utilized larger tray was recorded. Estimated cost savings of the new trays were calculated based upon per instrument sterilization, processing, and instrument replacement costs. Results New vitrectomy trays including just 7 instruments (89% reduction compared to original trays) were created and implemented in 189 successive cases. The original tray was never opened. Estimated cost savings from saved sterilization and processing resources is approximately $9588 per year. Assuming 5- and 10-year lifespan per instrument, annual cost avoidance is projected at $7886 and $15,772, respectively. Other indirect benefits relevant to healthcare quality were also noted. Conclusion A reduced instrument tray can be successfully implemented for vitrectomy surgery and can result in significant indirect benefits as well as direct cost savings from reduced sterilization costs. Our study highlights the substantial impact made by evaluating the usage pattern and making appropriate instrument tray changes for just one retina surgeon. Applying these same methods to other surgeons and specialties can have significant implications on healthcare costs and quality.
first_indexed 2024-12-13T11:41:26Z
format Article
id doaj.art-b8e85cd591c04deeac9420c480c703c1
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2056-9920
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-13T11:41:26Z
publishDate 2020-06-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series International Journal of Retina and Vitreous
spelling doaj.art-b8e85cd591c04deeac9420c480c703c12022-12-21T23:47:38ZengBMCInternational Journal of Retina and Vitreous2056-99202020-06-01611610.1186/s40942-020-00215-2Reducing instruments in a vitrectomy surgical tray: cost savings and results from a major academic hospitalJacob D. Grodsky0Christos N. Theophanous1Sidney A. Schechet2Peter B. Veldman3Seenu M. Hariprasad4Department of Ophthalmology, Saint Louis University Eye InstituteDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Chicago MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Chicago MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Chicago MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Chicago MedicineAbstract Background Unused or rarely used instruments in standard surgical trays can unnecessarily increase costs. Prior studies have demonstrated the practicality and cost savings of reduced instrument tray sizes in various subspecialties. This study describes results and estimated cost savings from a reduced instrument tray used for vitrectomy surgery at a large, tertiary academic medical center. Methods Common usage patterns of vitrectomy instruments by one retina surgeon were reviewed and a reduced instrument vitrectomy tray was created and implemented in successive vitrectomy surgeries. Need for opening the previously utilized larger tray was recorded. Estimated cost savings of the new trays were calculated based upon per instrument sterilization, processing, and instrument replacement costs. Results New vitrectomy trays including just 7 instruments (89% reduction compared to original trays) were created and implemented in 189 successive cases. The original tray was never opened. Estimated cost savings from saved sterilization and processing resources is approximately $9588 per year. Assuming 5- and 10-year lifespan per instrument, annual cost avoidance is projected at $7886 and $15,772, respectively. Other indirect benefits relevant to healthcare quality were also noted. Conclusion A reduced instrument tray can be successfully implemented for vitrectomy surgery and can result in significant indirect benefits as well as direct cost savings from reduced sterilization costs. Our study highlights the substantial impact made by evaluating the usage pattern and making appropriate instrument tray changes for just one retina surgeon. Applying these same methods to other surgeons and specialties can have significant implications on healthcare costs and quality.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40942-020-00215-2
spellingShingle Jacob D. Grodsky
Christos N. Theophanous
Sidney A. Schechet
Peter B. Veldman
Seenu M. Hariprasad
Reducing instruments in a vitrectomy surgical tray: cost savings and results from a major academic hospital
International Journal of Retina and Vitreous
title Reducing instruments in a vitrectomy surgical tray: cost savings and results from a major academic hospital
title_full Reducing instruments in a vitrectomy surgical tray: cost savings and results from a major academic hospital
title_fullStr Reducing instruments in a vitrectomy surgical tray: cost savings and results from a major academic hospital
title_full_unstemmed Reducing instruments in a vitrectomy surgical tray: cost savings and results from a major academic hospital
title_short Reducing instruments in a vitrectomy surgical tray: cost savings and results from a major academic hospital
title_sort reducing instruments in a vitrectomy surgical tray cost savings and results from a major academic hospital
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40942-020-00215-2
work_keys_str_mv AT jacobdgrodsky reducinginstrumentsinavitrectomysurgicaltraycostsavingsandresultsfromamajoracademichospital
AT christosntheophanous reducinginstrumentsinavitrectomysurgicaltraycostsavingsandresultsfromamajoracademichospital
AT sidneyaschechet reducinginstrumentsinavitrectomysurgicaltraycostsavingsandresultsfromamajoracademichospital
AT peterbveldman reducinginstrumentsinavitrectomysurgicaltraycostsavingsandresultsfromamajoracademichospital
AT seenumhariprasad reducinginstrumentsinavitrectomysurgicaltraycostsavingsandresultsfromamajoracademichospital