Flower Orthopedics is a relatively new concept for orthopedic supply chain management at ambulatory surgery centers that can have a huge impact on ASC quality, efficiency and profitability.
The company provides the Flower Ready-for-Surgery Cube that includes the standardized implants and disposables for foot, ankle, wrist, shoulder and hand surgeries. The sterile-packaged implants have the patented Flower Locking System and is matched with a single-use, disposable Flower Instrument Kit.
Since launching in 2012, Flower Orthopedics has refined the value provided to ASCs, including:
• Eliminating pre-op materials handling
• Reducing inventory
• Limiting infection risk
• Removing the sales representative from the operating room
• Eliminating postoperative reprocessing
"The idea behind the Flower Cube is to really address the inefficiencies before, during and after the case," says Flower Orthopedics President and CEO Oliver Burckhardt. "It's not just a single implant and disposables; we also believe the Flower Cube provides a faster solution to product management in a safer environment."
The Cube can also promote faster operating room turnover because staff members can focus on preparing for the next case instead of reprocessing. Faster OR turnover means more cases can be scheduled in one day, enhancing the center's bottom line and improving physician satisfaction.
The company partnered with McKesson Medical-Surgical in 2013 to develop and deliver their new procedure model. The Cube could save up to 30 percent of the combined implant and instrument costs currently spent per case. Providers can customize each Cube based on their preferences and a mobile app allows surgeons to dictate preferences.
ASCs can order the Cube one day and receive it the next. After the surgery, ASCs can either send the Cube back to Flower Orthopedics, McKesson or their sales representative will pick it up.
"The instrument case is always complete and sterile, so there is no ambiguity of whether the wrapping is poked or ready to go," says Mr. Burckhardt. "Everything is in a single package, pristine, every time you open it up. There is enough inventory for the entire case. Or you can order inventory for multiple cases and take it from case to case. This also helps with room turnover and eliminates downtime between cases."
Quality, efficiency and cost savings are critically important for ASCs and as more orthopedic procedures head into the outpatient setting, streamlined supply chain management is key to success. Flower Orthopedics plans to eventually have Cubes available to address all commonly occurring fractures.
"Our portfolio continues to grow, which means our coverage on the bone fixation market will increase," says Mr. Burckhardt. "We are trying to get to the point where we can cover every aspect of an orthopedic procedure with our Cube applications. McKesson continues to be our logistics partner, helping us get the Cube to as many ASCs as possible."
This article is sponsored by McKesson and Flower Orthopedic.
More articles on surgery centers:
Rapid anesthesia M&A activity in 2014: A recap
6 things to know about the New York ASC market
100 ASC benchmarks to know—2014
The company provides the Flower Ready-for-Surgery Cube that includes the standardized implants and disposables for foot, ankle, wrist, shoulder and hand surgeries. The sterile-packaged implants have the patented Flower Locking System and is matched with a single-use, disposable Flower Instrument Kit.
Since launching in 2012, Flower Orthopedics has refined the value provided to ASCs, including:
• Eliminating pre-op materials handling
• Reducing inventory
• Limiting infection risk
• Removing the sales representative from the operating room
• Eliminating postoperative reprocessing
"The idea behind the Flower Cube is to really address the inefficiencies before, during and after the case," says Flower Orthopedics President and CEO Oliver Burckhardt. "It's not just a single implant and disposables; we also believe the Flower Cube provides a faster solution to product management in a safer environment."
The Cube can also promote faster operating room turnover because staff members can focus on preparing for the next case instead of reprocessing. Faster OR turnover means more cases can be scheduled in one day, enhancing the center's bottom line and improving physician satisfaction.
The company partnered with McKesson Medical-Surgical in 2013 to develop and deliver their new procedure model. The Cube could save up to 30 percent of the combined implant and instrument costs currently spent per case. Providers can customize each Cube based on their preferences and a mobile app allows surgeons to dictate preferences.
ASCs can order the Cube one day and receive it the next. After the surgery, ASCs can either send the Cube back to Flower Orthopedics, McKesson or their sales representative will pick it up.
"The instrument case is always complete and sterile, so there is no ambiguity of whether the wrapping is poked or ready to go," says Mr. Burckhardt. "Everything is in a single package, pristine, every time you open it up. There is enough inventory for the entire case. Or you can order inventory for multiple cases and take it from case to case. This also helps with room turnover and eliminates downtime between cases."
Quality, efficiency and cost savings are critically important for ASCs and as more orthopedic procedures head into the outpatient setting, streamlined supply chain management is key to success. Flower Orthopedics plans to eventually have Cubes available to address all commonly occurring fractures.
"Our portfolio continues to grow, which means our coverage on the bone fixation market will increase," says Mr. Burckhardt. "We are trying to get to the point where we can cover every aspect of an orthopedic procedure with our Cube applications. McKesson continues to be our logistics partner, helping us get the Cube to as many ASCs as possible."
This article is sponsored by McKesson and Flower Orthopedic.
More articles on surgery centers:
Rapid anesthesia M&A activity in 2014: A recap
6 things to know about the New York ASC market
100 ASC benchmarks to know—2014