As the economic news continues to worsen, it’s become very clear that all segments of the economy have been adversely affected, including the (once thought to be recession-proof) healthcare market. Everyone is being confronted daily by increased pressures to reduce costs. Despite these pressures, surgeries will still be performed and surgical instruments will continue to play a vital role in meeting our most important objective, patient safety.

Proceed with caution when contemplating reducing your surgical repair budget. Instruments that don’t receive preventative maintenance are more likely to fail and may even break during a surgical procedure. Surgeons will be the first to notice a reduction of service, and you will be the first to hear about it. Despite these warnings, the time is always right to ensure that you are maximizing the value of your repair spend. Consider the following when evaluating your current plan:

• Price. Now is the perfect time to evaluate your repair pricing agreement. Remember that the GPO doesn’t guarantee that you will have the lowest prices. Compare current repair prices with those of other repair vendors. If you’re paying $4.00 for scissor sharpening, you are paying too much.

• Tray Frequency. Put your money where you need it. Heavy- use sets with many sharps, such as orthopedic and neuro sets, should be maintained frequently, while lesser-used sets shouldn’t be repaired as often. Don’t fall into the habit of giving your repair vendor work just because they show up on a given day. Your repair vendor should work with you to develop a tray frequency that meets your needs and maximizes your budget.

• Specialty Equipment. An area that can yield substantial savings is specialty equipment repair, specifically, rigid and flexible endoscopes, power equipment, and video equipment (cameras). Due to the high cost of these items and the high cost to repair them, a price comparison should be conducted immediately. Despite the claims of some Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEM’s), there are reputable firms that are excellent providers of repair services and can save the hospital up to 30-50%. It is also a good idea to implement a preventative maintenance program for these items.

• Pre-Owned Equipment. With budgets drying up, another great way to save is to purchase pre-owned equipment. To avoid problems, ask your vendor to match the OEM’s warranty. If they are unwilling, you may want to work with a different vendor.

• Availability. Your repair partner must be willing to work around your schedule. If this means weekends or second shift, the repair vendor should be at your service. There should be no extra charge for this value-added service work.