Hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers rely on reusable instruments and devices to perform procedures. Following the validated manufacturer’s instructions, these items must be cleaned, sterilized, and returned to service.
Soiled or damaged instruments can be dangerous to patients. Damages such as staining, rust, pitting, and rough edges indicate poor instrument quality.
Price
Surgical instruments represent a large portion of a hospital’s supply budget. Finding instruments that provide quality, satisfaction, and value for the facility’s surgeons is imperative. However, in a competitive market, the prices of surgical instruments can vary dramatically. Therefore, buyers must research all available options to ensure they are receiving the best possible price for their needs.
One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a surgical instrument is its usage. Many instruments are designed for a specific purpose, such as holding a needle or grasping tissue. The size of a surgical instrument can also impact its use. For example, a needle holder must be the right size to work effectively.
In addition, the type of procedure to be performed is also an important factor in selecting a surgical instrument. A general surgery tool is a good choice for most procedures, but some surgeries require special tools. Using the wrong instrument can cause severe complications for patients.
Another important factor to consider when purchasing a surgical instrument is the manufacturer’s reputation. A trusted manufacturer will offer an excellent warranty and guarantee the quality of their products. They will also be able to provide an adequate amount of customer service. A reputable company will offer educational materials, hands-on training, and CE-approved education programs on their products.
A third important factor to consider when purchasing surgical instruments is the company’s service level. The quickest and most effective way to get the best surgical instruments is to deal with a company that can provide you with all three key components: price, quality, and service.
The operating room is a cost-dense environment, and disposable surgical instruments represent a significant proportion of the cost of hospital supplies. Yet, surgeons are unaware of the costs associated with common surgical items. Previous studies have shown that surgeons are unable to distinguish between the more and less expensive two surgical instruments.
Hospitals can save on operating room costs by streamlining the number of instrument sets they purchase. By identifying which instruments are not used in the majority of cases, hospitals can rightsize instrument trays and create custom sets for each surgeon’s preference. This can reduce processing, sterilization, and shipping costs. It can also save the hospital from having to replace unused instruments, which often leads to higher costs in the long run.
Quality
When purchasing surgical instruments, the question of quality is important. Most surgeons and Sterile Processing departments (SPD) assume that when they buy a new instrument it is of good quality, has passed stringent QA testing, and will last for years. However, this is not always the case. Poor-quality instruments often break, which creates a risk of patient harm and infection. This problem is further compounded by the fact that many NHS trusts do not have an instrument quality assurance service.
The best way to determine the quality of an instrument is to look at the materials, craftsmanship, and manufacturer’s warranty. Premium surgical instruments are made from high-grade stainless steel, have a matte finish to reduce glare from light, and are backed by comprehensive manufacturers’ warranties. These instruments are also priced higher than cheaper, less-premium instruments.
Surgical instruments in a hospital’s operating rooms must be sterile and of good quality to prevent contamination or injury. It is estimated that around 1500 incidents of patient harm are caused each year by broken instruments, resulting in reoperations and hospital admissions. However, most incidents are not reported, so the number is much higher.
In addition, poor-quality instruments are a potential source of infection as they may contain debris from human tissue, such as bone, skin, and hair. These foreign body fragments can cause infections such as foreign body granuloma or embolism or trap blood or other fluids which standard sterilization procedures cannot remove.
Local quality control of all new instruments supplied to the NHS by a local clinical engineering department should be introduced to ensure that surgical instruments are safe, reliable, and of good quality. This will help to reduce the number of UDFs and improve patient safety.
UDFs are a major problem in the NHS, and although there is a low incidence of serious harm, they can have devastating consequences for patients. The introduction of local quality control of all new surgical instruments by a local clinical engineering department will improve patient safety, reduce costs, and enable healthcare professionals to be confident that the instruments they are using have undergone a thorough inspection process prior to use.
Warranty
The world’s aging population and rise in chronic diseases have led to an increase in surgeries. Surgical instruments are hand-held tools used by clinicians for the performance of surgical tasks. Surgical instruments come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and materials. These include scalpels, forceps, scissors, retractors, and clamps. Some surgical procedures require a more specialized set of tools, such as bone saws, files, and drills.
When selecting surgical instruments, it is important to consider their quality. Purchasing low-quality instruments can lead to costly repairs and replacements. It is also important to purchase instruments designed for their intended use. This will ensure that the instrument can withstand rigorous sterilization procedures and the rigors of the operating room.
Selecting a company that offers a warranty on their surgical instruments is important. This demonstrates that the company is confident in its product and is willing to stand behind it. A warranty should cover damage to the instrument caused by normal usage and reprocessing. This may include staining, loosening of instrument joints, pitting, and rusting. A warranty should also cover the cost of repairing or replacing the instrument.
Surgical instruments must withstand the high temperature and pressure of an autoclave and be suitable for multiple uses. They must also be easy to clean and disinfect. Lubricating all moving parts after cleaning and placing them in the autoclave is recommended. Moreover, the instruments should be stored in a dry area to avoid corrosion.
Many manufacturers offer a warranty on their surgical instruments. MicroAire Surgical Instruments, for example, offers warranties on its products for a year from the date of purchase. However, the warranty does not cover damage to the instrument due to misuse, disassembly, unauthorized repair, or non-recommended usage.
Hospitals need to have a good system in place to manage the inventory of their sterile surgical instruments. This includes a process for ordering and receiving new equipment. The hospital should also ensure that surgical instruments are available when needed. A delay in obtaining an instrument can cause complications during surgery, which may lead to an adverse outcome for the patient. It is also important for the hospital to keep track of the condition of the instruments. This will help to reduce the time required to reprocess them and make them available for surgery.
Service
Surgical instruments and other critical devices, those that enter sterile tissues, are reprocessed and reused every day in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and other healthcare organizations. The process of reprocessing includes cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization that is validated according to the manufacturer’s instructions and documented with test data. A device that is designed with very tight parameters, such as a needle holder, must be cleaned and sterilized exactly to its original specifications, or it could change its physical characteristics and functionality, potentially compromising patient safety.
A high-quality, dependable surgical instrument can help physicians complete the procedure more easily and efficiently. This is particularly true for instruments used repeatedly during a procedure, such as a suction pump, needle holders, or scissors.
Selecting an instrument supplier that provides quality surgical tools at a fair price is important. Some suppliers only sell instruments based on a brand name, but a company that offers multiple manufacturers may have a lower overall cost for the same instrument. It’s also helpful to select a provider that specializes in servicing ASCs. This way, you can be sure that your provider has a long-standing relationship with manufacturers, resulting in the best price for your facility.
In addition to ensuring that instruments are properly processed, a good surgical instrument supplier should offer a comprehensive warranty for their products. This includes repairs and replacement of defective parts and a lifetime guarantee against corrosion and other damage to the instrument’s finish.
The final factor to consider is the company’s customer service. A great surgical instrument supplier will provide you with a dedicated team of professionals to ensure that all your needs are met promptly, professionally, and efficiently. The team can be a valuable resource for your surgeons, allowing them to focus on their procedures without distraction.
A company that understands the importance of customer service will also provide a variety of ways for you to contact them and access support. For example, some companies have online order entry systems that allow you to submit your orders easily and securely. You can even track the status of your order.
