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O P H T H A L M O L O G Y
ophthalmic administrators several questions related to their
ophthalmic instrument purchasing habits. Here's a recap.
How likely are you to adopt ophthalmic
safety knives in the next year?
Very likely
0%
Somewhat likely
18%
Not likely
41%
We've already adopted them
41%
1
Can you trial ophthalmic instruments
before purchasing?
2
Are protective guards and sterilization trays typically included with your instrument purchases?
SOURCE: Outpatient Surgery Magazine
online survey of ophthalmic
administrators, May 2013, n=23
Eighteen of our 23 respondents
say yes, they can trial instruments. Another 4 can do so only if the rep is present. "Unless your
center has money it can afford to give away, you should be allowed to
trial any instrument prior to purchasing," says Lisa Waters, RN, chief
operating officer at the Columbia (S.C.) Eye Surgery Center. "A representative from the company should be present to answer any questions and to give instruction to the physician or operating personnel
during a case." A good idea: Schedule the trial when the physician is
working and will need the instrumentation that you're considering.
"This is good practice," says Ms. Waters. "It's like test driving a car
before you say 'yes.' If the rep is focused on customer service instead
of just turning a profit, he'll let the center trial the instruments for at
least 1 to 2 weeks."
More than one-fourth (28.6%) of our panel replied no, 14.3% said
yes and 57.1% said sometimes. "Usually protective guards and occasionally a sterilization tray," says Janet Johnson, RN, clinical director
of the Eye Surgery Center of Hinsdale (Ill.). You don't want to find out
J U N E 2013 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
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