Achieving Surgical Supply Savings through Preference Card Standardization

This article documents efforts and results of an initiative to standardize preference cards for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomies. Data collected for this project outlin ed differences between surgeon’s preference card composition, utilization of selected supplies and associated procedure costs. Reports were developed that grouped surgical supplies based on United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPC) product classes and highlighted classes with the highest per case standard deviations. Based on these findings and feedback from clinical partners, a composite set of supplies for use across all preference cards was developed in conjunction with the Chief of General Surgery. The net result of moving to a standardized set of supplies was an estimat ed $21,650 in annual supply expenses associated with Laparoscopic Cholecystectomies. Results suggest that standard deviation-based reports organized by product class facilitate effective surgeon-to-surgeon comparisons and make apparent readily available supply substitutes that are less expensive.
Source: Journal of Medical Systems - Category: Information Technology Source Type: research