Orthopedic Implant Waste: Analysis and Quantification

Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2015 Dec;44(12):554-60.

Abstract

The steadily increasing demand for orthopedic surgeries and declining rates of reimbursement by Medicare and other insurance providers have led many hospitals to look for ways to control the cost of these surgeries. We reviewed administrative records for a 1-year period and recorded total number of surgical cases, number of cases in which an implant was wasted, and cost of each wasted implant. We determined cost incurred because of implant waste, percentage of cases that involved waste, percentage of total implant cost wasted, and average cost of waste per case. We then analyzed the data to determine if case volume or years in surgical practice affected amount of implant waste. Results showed implant waste represents a significant cost for orthopedic procedures within all subspecialties and is an important factor to consider when developing cost-reduction strategies.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Care Costs / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Care / economics
  • Intraoperative Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Medical Waste / economics*
  • Medical Waste / statistics & numerical data*
  • Prostheses and Implants / economics
  • Prostheses and Implants / statistics & numerical data*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • United States
  • Wounds and Injuries / economics
  • Wounds and Injuries / surgery*

Substances

  • Medical Waste