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Ideas Work
That
COST-EFFECTIVE CARE
Look for Creative Ways to Save
Y
ou may not give much thought to the disposable safety straps
that hold patients in place during surgery, but what if you
knew they were costing your hospital close to $100,000 a year?
A few years ago, the value analysis team here at the University of
Arkansas for Medical Sciences realized our hospital spent $80,000
each year on disposable hook-and-latch straps and suggested reusable
straps would eliminate the need to buy one for each case and be a
more cost-effective option. The team argued reusable straps would
not only reduce cost and waste, but also keep patients just as safe and
secure. Our surgical staff was initially hesitant about utilizing reusable
straps, and training was necessary to educate them on how to proper-
ly clean and sanitize each one between uses, but we've saved $70,000
over the course of a year since making the switch. In these trying
times, it's important to think outside the box and find creative ways to
save money. With cost-saving projects like these, you can bring in
more personnel and care for more patients. It's a win-win.
Kenny Worley, RN, BSN, CNOR
Renee Lawrence, RN, MSN, CNS, CNOR
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Ark.
worleykennetha@uams.edu
SAVE AND SAFE The staff at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences discovered reusable safety straps save money without sacrificing patient safety.
University
of
Arkansas
for
Medical
Sciences