Standardization of Disposable Instruments in Microvascular Breast Reconstruction: A Case Study in Cost Reduction

Abstract

A key avoidable expense in the surgical setting is the wastage of disposable surgical items, which are discarded after cases even if they go unused. A major contributor to wastage of these items is the inaccuracy of surgeon preference cards, which are rarely examined or updated. The authors report the application of a novel technique called cost heatmapping to facilitate standardization of preference cards for microvascular breast reconstruction. Preference card data were obtained for all surgeons performing microvascular breast reconstruction at the authors' institution. These data were visualized using the heatmap.2 function in the gplot package for R. The resulting cost heatmaps were shown to all surgeons performing microvascular breast reconstruction at our institution; each surgeon was asked to classify the items on the heatmap as "always needed," "sometimes needed," or "never needed." This feedback was used to generate a lean standardized preference card for all surgeons. This card was validated by all surgeons performing the case and by nursing leadership familiar with the supply needs of microvascular breast reconstruction before implementation. Cost savings associated with implementation were calculated. Implementation of the preference card changes will lead to an estimated per annum savings of $17,981.20 and a per annum reduction in individual items listed on preference cards of 1,693 items. Cost heatmapping is a powerful tool for increasing surgeon awareness of cost and for facilitating comparison and standardization of surgeon preference cards.

Identification and in vitro validation of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for lung squamous cell carcinoma

“…org/). Hierarchical clustering analysis of top 100 DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs was structured by heatmap.2 (13).…”

Surgeon Variation in Intraoperative Supply Cost for Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Is Intraoperative Supply Cost Associated with Outcomes?

“…Variability in ISC has been identified as a possible source of excess expenditures in common general surgery procedures, and efforts to reduce this variability have yielded significant cost-savings 5–9 . One common challenge to standardization of intraoperative supplies is that increased expenditures may be justified if patient outcomes are better.…”