Evaluation of Operational and Economic Efficiencies With New Preloaded IOL Delivery System
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
To evaluate operational and economic efficiencies achieved by surgical centers, in various surgical sites and countries, when transitioning from manually-loaded intraocular lenses (IOLs) to the TECNIS iTec preloaded inserter for routine cataract surgeries.
Methods
Multicenter, observational study of facility workflows and costs associated with routine cataract surgery using either manual or preloaded inserters. Operational impact of the preloaded inserter was evaluated using one of two study design strategies: 1) collection of intraoperative time/motion data using manual inserter before the preloaded inserter adoption (n=20) and using the preloaded inserter after adoption (n=20); 2) if site has already adopted the preloaded inserter at the start of study, concurrent data collection of both types of inserters (n=40: 20 manual, 20 preloaded). Economic implications of operational changes following adoption of the preloaded inserter were also assessed.
Results
Study is ongoing; results from one EU (FR) site are reported here. A total of 66 cataract cases were observed at this dual-OR clinic: 47 were included in analysis (OR1, n=24 and OR2, n=23). Either a preloaded (n=20) or a manual (n=27) inserter was used for each case. Overall, the combined median case time was reduced by 5.1% using a preloaded vs. a manual inserter [19:07 mm:ss and 20:08 mm:ss, respectively]. The combined median time savings per case with the preloaded inserter was 01:02 mm:ss. Assuming 100% preloaded inserter utilization, this site could potentially add one more case for every 19.8 cataract procedures performed.
Conclusion
At a single EU study site, transitioning from manual to preloaded inserters for routine cataract surgery reduced overall median case time by 5.1%. The increased surgical efficiency experienced with the preloaded inserter may allow for increased procedural throughput per day, particularly at high volume surgery centers.