From the April 2017 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Reprocessed devices
There are three main categories of devices that are reprocessed and that can be found within a hospital’s reprocessing program: cardiovascular devices; OR instruments; and noninvasive devices. But reprocessing companies offer hospitals a variety of ways to reduce cost and waste by finding more SUDs to reprocess.
One of the greatest savings opportunities we’re seeing is in the cardiac catheterization lab. Reprocessors have FDA clearance for many models of diagnostic cardiac catheters. And by using reprocessed catheters, hospitals can cut the device costs portion of these procedures by up to half.
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Another area for savings is the OR. More complex laparoscopic instruments have escalated costs for hospitals. Reprocessors can offer alternatives, ranging from trocars to ultrasonic scalpels to graspers and forceps. The third area for savings is noninvasive devices. Examples include compression sleeves, tourniquet cuffs, bed alarms and pulse oximetry sensors. Nurses and physicians can use the same brands they have always used.
Savings and benefits
Reprocessing is one of the most impactful initiatives a hospital can implement to reduce costs and waste. According to the 2016 Practice Greenhealth sustainability benchmark report, a survey of its members showed that hospitals saved $30.5 million in combined savings between purchase and avoided waste disposal fees on medical device reprocessing. The average facility saved $295,238 annually. Additionally, reprocessing eliminates red bag waste, which can cost 10 times as much to dispose of as regular waste.
Over the course of the growth of the reprocessing industry, there has been a bending of the cost curve, and the cost of original manufactured devices has decreased due, in part, to the competition from reprocessed devices. This further brings savings to the supply chain within hospitals.
Best practices
One key to a successful program is placing used devices in the proper bin to maximize reprocessing savings. Devices should be treated as valuable assets, not as waste, so extra care should be taken to ensure they are not damaged when being placed in the bins. Also, hospitals should use reprocessed devices first. Train all staff to use the reprocessed devices first to lessen dependence on new devices and keep the savings within the institution. The savings can be used to retain staff, buy new equipment and make investments in education.
Other aspects of a successful reprocessing program require more diligence. Some device companies bundle new and reprocessed SUDs as “comprehensive or circular device programs,” claiming to offer consistent, predictable supply and pricing. However, these bundled programs can negatively impact savings and waste reduction potential. After all, the manufacturer may stand to gain by selling you more “single-use” devices and less reprocessed to keep their profits high. Remain vigilant and take ownership of your program. Will the promised savings be guaranteed? Are there minimum purchasing requirements hidden in these proposals? What percentage of the devices will be reprocessed and will the vendor be transparent with this information.
