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But she says it's important to consider the bigger picture. "Reoperation rates
will go down and readmission rates will decrease because surgery is performed
correctly the first time," she points out.
Besides, computers and high-definition televisions were expensive when they
first hit the market, weren't they? Can we live without them now? It's the same
story with imaging upgrades, says Dr. Tempany-Afdhal. Start-up costs will even-
tually decrease, but until then there will be early-stage adopters and late-stage
adopters, with individual facilities at different stages of the spectrum.
Ms. Stevens says the latest technology is expensive, but her hospital's admin-
istration realizes there's benefit to investing in it, notably more exact approach-
es to anatomy and confirmation of intended outcomes before patients leave the
OR.
She says the initial savings may be soft, but the hospital understands the
numerous benefits they'll eventually realize, not the least of which is staying on
the cutting edge of care and attracting forward-thinking physicians.
"Our investment in imaging technology helps attract innovative surgeons," she
adds. "In a lot of way, it's about keeping up with the Joneses."
OSM
E-mail dcook@outpatientsurgery.net.
