What is the Cost of Opened & Unused Sterile Supplies?

Posted at 08 February 2024 in Costs,Uncategorized by Marrianne

According to a John Hopkins study, $15M US is lost in hospitals annually in unused sterile supplies.

Another study looking at neurosurgical procedures, identified $968.00US is wasted per surgical case on opened & unused supplies, this equates to a loss of $2.9M US, annually, in neurosurgery alone.

Preparation and knowledge on a surgical approach and procedure, may assist the team to determine the number of supplies required.

A senior colleague is able to estimate how many sterile packs are required at the beginning of a case, and the number required, on standby.

This preparation and forethought, reduces the time the circulator is out of the OR, and is therefore, available, to meet the immediate needs, of the surgical team.

Surgical cases vary, and understanding details about a patients medical background may assist the surgical team to identify the number of supplies required.

Eg, if a patient has not stopped anti-coagulents, may increase the need for additional items.

Communication with a surgeon prior to the surgery and confirming items before they are opened, reduces costs and wastage, however this may also invite unnecessary tension.

Situational awareness should be adhered to, at all times.

References

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/study_documents_millions_in_unused_medical_supplies_in_us_operating_rooms_each_year

https://thejns.org/view/journals/j-neurosurg/126/2/article-p620.xml

https://kffhealthnews.org/news/tossing-unused-surgical-supplies-wastes-millions-of-dollars-study-finds/