In orthopedic surgery, precision is critical. One of the factors affecting the success of surgical procedures is the selection of the right-sized screw. Using an incorrect size can not only lead to patient discomfort, potential non-union or the need for revision surgery, but also has a financial impact on the hospital through wasted operating room (OR) time and wasted materials. 

The Financial Burden of Wasted Screws 

While numbers can vary, surgical screws can cost as much as $100 in the United States. With the complexity of plate and screw surgeries, Orthopedic surgeons are likely to use multiple screws per procedure, often of different sizes. If an incorrect size screw is selected, it will need to be removed and replaced. Obviously, the surgeon will try to use that screw later in the case, where practical, but it’s not always feasible, resulting in unnecessary expenses in the disposal of the screw. In either case, the time wasted is lost.  

Consider the scenario where an incorrect screw size is used. If a surgeon needs to switch to a different screw, the cost of the single wasted screw can easily reach $100.  That seems small in the overall cost of healthcare, but what if it occurred multiple times each day?  

Wasted Operating Room Time 

Operating room time is one of the most significant costs incurred in healthcare. There are a variety of studies that attempt to calculate the average cost of running an OR in the United States.  A General Surgery News Article estimated the range between $22 to $133 per minute, with an average of about $62 per minute. Extra OR time because of an incorrect size screw leads to prolonged procedures and escalating costs. 

For instance, a delay of just 15 minutes in an orthopedic procedure can cost, on average, $930 and up to nearly $2000, impacting budgeting for surgical departments. Not only does this financial burden affect the hospital, but it can also disrupt scheduling subsequent surgeries, leading to a domino effect. 

A Better Depth Gauge Is Needed 

Incorrect screw selection can be traced back to a single medical device – the traditional, reusable depth gauge.  This instrument has been a staple of orthopedic surgical trays for decades and has seen very little innovation.  In addition to the complexity of cleaning these devices, the reusable depth gauge has been noted to be notoriously difficult to read, creating scenarios where the incorrect screw is selected. 

With the EDG® from EDGE Surgical, this issue is practically eliminated. The EDG features a digital readout, clearly indicating the measurement for the surgeon to select the proper screw.   

With investment in advanced technologies, such as the EDG, hospitals can significantly reduce the likelihood of mismeasurement. This not only minimizes wasted resources but also optimizes OR time. If this improves screw sizing accuracy enough to eliminate even half of the mismeasurements, the potential savings could amount to thousands of dollars monthly.  

Calculating the Potential Costs 

To understand the financial impact of traditional depth gauges, let’s consider an orthopedic practice where an average of 10 surgeries per week involves screw placement. If, on average, 2 surgeries per week experience delays of 15 minutes and a wasted screw due to mismeasurement that could not be reused, the costs could average about $8000 a month and reach as much as $16000 per month.  

Conclusion 

Mismeasurements in orthopedic surgery happen frequently, mainly due to the unreliable, antiquated, reusable depth gauge. In a field where precision is crucial and costs are continuously under scrutiny, investing in accurate measurement tools offers a pathway toward not only improved patient outcomes but also sound fiscal management. Aligning surgical practices with the right tools can ultimately lead to better surgical performance, reducing errors and enhancing patient safety while ensuring that hospital resources are used efficiently. 

The financial implications of using the wrong size screw in orthopedic surgery can be significant, in both wasted screws and extended operating room time. Adopting the electronic digital depth gauge (EDG) from EDGE can virtually eliminate the issue, saving time and money.

Visit our calculator to learn more about the impact EDG can have at your hospital.