OBJECTIVES

Previous research highlights that the optimal configuration of surgical packs is associated with the potential for substantial cost savings. In the case of cataract and vitreoretinal (vit-ret) surgery equipment related disposables (i.e. fluid-management systems/total-plus-pack and irrigation solution), are frequently not included in custom surgical pack (c-pak) configuration. The objective of this research was therefore to estimate the impact of including equipment-related disposables (as part of c-pak configuration), on hospital efficiency.

METHODS

This research is underpinned by primary data collection in a cross-sectional analysis of cataract and vit-ret surgeries conducted in the US: whereby a survey was conducted among US technicians (27 for Cataract, 26 for vit-ret) and supply chain managers (19 for Cataract, 15 for VR). Technicians timed 140 cataract surgeries and 140 vit-ret surgeries, recording surgical supply use. Using these inputs, a decision-analytic model was developed which estimates the time associated with surgery preparation materials management, and accounting for both types of surgeries. The model simulation was run from the perspective of a hospital performing 1,000 cataract and 250 vitreoretinal surgeries, annually. Custom packs were configured fully with or without equipment-related disposables, ie. 100% use of each option was assumed.

RESULTS

Over a one-year time horizon, the configuration of custom surgical packs with equipment-related disposables was associated with a time saving of 17 hours in the case of cataract surgery, approximately equivalent to the time taken to perform 31 cataract surgeries. For vit-ret, estimates are as follows: a time saving of 4 hours, approximately equivalent to 3 vit-ret procedures. Further time savings were demonstrated in the case of Material Management (37 hours) and Accounting (2 hours).

CONCLUSIONS

When configuring custom surgical packs for cataract and vitreoretinal procedures, the inclusion of equipment-related disposables could improve hospital efficiency, through faster surgery preparation and streamlined materials management, facilitating the reduction of hidden costs.