Single-use sets are gaining traction in Spine since their introduction in late 2014 . Physicians, like most human beings, are creatures of habit, preferring the familiar over the unknown. Most clinicians, for example, resisted the idea of electronic medical records in the late 1990s, deeming the time-saving tool an impersonal addition to their practices and an affront to the profession.
Many doctors have developed a similar mindset regarding medical products and equipment. Certain surgeons , as the admitted in , are DePuy devotees; others are disciples of certain procedures (robotic surgery, for instance) or materials (trabecular metal, polyethylene, stainless steel, ceramics, etc.), and some have favorite tools.
Orthopedic surgeons have traditionally endorsed reusable instruments and surgical trays, but competition, healthcare reform, accuracy concerns, and—perhaps most importantly—cost, are engendering change in the operating room. Newly minted single-use, torque-limiting instruments and kits are becoming more prevalent as hospitals seek procedural efficiency, streamlined inventory, environmental harmony, and reduced cost.
While single-use instruments and kits have been a staple of many medical procedures for decades (cardiac rhythm management and neuromodulation, among others) they are a relatively new development in the orthopedic industry, particularly in the spinal sector.
Companies like Safe Orthopaedics, ECA Medical Instruments Inc. and Flower Orthopedics have developed single-use instruments for spinal surgery that promise to “eliminate unnecessary delays” as well as the need for expensive sterilization cycles. ECA’s disposable ratchet (the Model 300 Secure-Fast system) is designed to reduce surgical costs by more than $1,000 per procedure—a factor that will surely appeal to clinicians and payers striving to balance quality care and price value.
The global market for disposable medical supplies (instruments included) is forecast to grow 4.1 percent annually over the next two years, fueled by healthcare reform, an aging population, and a sharp focus on infection prevention. But convenience, cost, inventory management, and improved productivity will drive growth too, as more hospitals and surgeons realize their economic and clinical value.
– See more at: http://www.odtmag.com/issues/2016-02-01/view_features/singular-sensations/?sthash.XbbfUvK6.mjjo#sthash.XbbfUvK6.U7JjoVud.dpuf