If your facility already performs elective orthopedic and sports
injury cases, there isn't a lot of equipment you need to buy for trauma
care, says Dr. Romeo.
• C-arm. This is typically the biggest capital equipment item you may
need to purchase. A full-size C-arm, along with the required safety
equipment, health department approvals and maintenance fees, can
cost around $100,000. Additionally, Dr. Romeo notes that more sur-
geons are using 3D CT navigation systems to plan procedures, with the
images broadcast on flat screen monitors in the OR. Manufacturers of
3D C-arms claim their technology provides enhanced images of anato-
my to help surgeons better determine where to place pins and plates.
The technology can tack on an extra $50,000 to $100,000 to the cost of a
regular C-arm.
• Ultrasound. If your anesthesia providers aren't already performing
ultrasound-guided nerve blocks, you'll likely need to purchase an ultra-
sound unit. Though ultrasound machines can cost up to $100,000, man-
ufacturers of new compact units say their systems offer the same image
quality with a smaller footprint and price tag. Also make sure you have
a quality anesthesia team in place that can place the blocks appropriate-
ly and quickly, says Dr. Bettin.
• Instruments. On the supply side, surgeons will want access to a
set of mini, small and large fragment instrument and implant sets,
which are necessary to pin or plate a variety of fractures.
• Implants. If your surgeons need a specialty implant, you can often
work out agreements with vendors to get what they need on short
notice. "Surgeons working on a complex fracture of the lateral clavi-
cle would probably need to call a vendor 24 hours beforehand, so
they can deliver devices needed for the case," says Dr. Romeo.
"Fortunately, trauma care has been spectacularly supported by the
orthopedic medical implant industry, so you can call company repre-
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