Should I Buy This? A Decision-Making Tool for Surgical Value-Based Purchasing

Abstract

Many considerations affect the value that a new instrument or product may generate in a surgical practice. This review serves as a guide for surgeons considering new purchases and/or wishing to advocate for hospital acquisition of new items. A summary of data from academic and industry practices is presented, with pertinent examples using relevant surgical devices such as disposable devices, laparoscopic trocars, and otologic endoscopes. Surgeons considering incorporating a new instrument or technology within their practice should weigh the following factors before decision making: patient and clinical care factors, surgeon and care team factors, and hospital factors such as cost, revenue, and sourcing. A surgeon well-versed in stakeholder interests who is involved in the purchase of a new instrument may have significant influence in value-based decision making that not only affects his or her practice but ultimately maximizes value for the patient.

Keywords: decision making; devices; instruments; purchasing; technology; value.