ments instantly recognize particular instruments during the assembly
stage, reduce error rates and even monitor actual utilization by sur-
geons in the operating room. A camera will be able to do the work
that we're doing manually now with a bar code and scanner (see "Do
You Know Where Your Instruments Are?").
Many of the previous challenges with asset management programs
in reprocessing departments simply came down to a pervasive inabili-
ty for these teams to input and maintain inventory data. New technol-
ogy can help you do just that, and it'll lead to more efficient opera-
tions in the process.
OSM
A P R I L 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 5 7
Mr. Balch (hank@beyondclean.net) is a founding partner of Beyond Clean
Consulting in San Antonio, Texas, and co-host of the "Beyond Clean" industry
podcast.
