The future of supply chain efficiency in the orthopedic ASC will depend upon better equipment tracking and surgeon investment in reducing supply chain costs, according to Blair Rhode, MD, who gave a talk titled "E-Implant: Cloud-Based RFID Inventory Management and Generic Orthopedic Implant Procurement" at the 12th Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference + Future of Spine on June 12, 2014 in Chicago.
The use of stable technology — or generics — can save surgeons up to 80 percent, according to Dr. Rhode. "Do you want to save that 80 percent? Take back ownership and responsibility, lose the sales rep, manage your inventory and connect directly to tier two manufacturers," he said.
RFID technology allows surgeons transact directly with tier two manufacturers, who keep costs low by cutting out the middlemen, according to Dr. Rhode. "It's the Amazon.com of implant management," he said. The RFID technology allows manufacturer inventories to be uploaded, price-transparently, to the cloud, while physicians can set up automatic order systems based on their inventory, thus ensuring cost- and utilization-appropriate inventory for physicians at all times.
"RFID tracks patients and expensive things. If we can track devices and manage implants, we can start saving money, especially between the shelf and manufacturer," he added. "Take back your inventory," he advised surgeons. "Some procedures need a sales representative, but not all."
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The use of stable technology — or generics — can save surgeons up to 80 percent, according to Dr. Rhode. "Do you want to save that 80 percent? Take back ownership and responsibility, lose the sales rep, manage your inventory and connect directly to tier two manufacturers," he said.
RFID technology allows surgeons transact directly with tier two manufacturers, who keep costs low by cutting out the middlemen, according to Dr. Rhode. "It's the Amazon.com of implant management," he said. The RFID technology allows manufacturer inventories to be uploaded, price-transparently, to the cloud, while physicians can set up automatic order systems based on their inventory, thus ensuring cost- and utilization-appropriate inventory for physicians at all times.
"RFID tracks patients and expensive things. If we can track devices and manage implants, we can start saving money, especially between the shelf and manufacturer," he added. "Take back your inventory," he advised surgeons. "Some procedures need a sales representative, but not all."
More Articles on Turnarounds:
12 Things to Know About Spine and Higher-Acuity Cases in ASCs
What Does the Sunshine Act Mean for Spine and Orthopedic Surgeons
Why ASCs Should Expand Relationships With GPOs