8 7
M A Y 2 0 1 5 | O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T
The company is nimble and flexible about financing, and yet the safety
outweighed any financial considerations."
Safety isn't the Neptune's only benefit, though, says Ms. Wiebel, who
had a say in purchasing when her surgery center opened a few years
ago, and when there were more fluid waste management options. "We
looked at other systems. The ease of use was important to us, the way
it cleans and docks seamlessly, with no leaks," she says. "It has a
built-in smoke evacuator and powered IV poles, those are useful in
ortho cases, that retract when it's turned off. It's not heavy to push,
and it's low-profile."
Ms. Wiebel credits the manufacturer's responsiveness to customer
concerns for the system's practical utility. Earlier models "used to be
pretty loud," she says. "We told them, you're going to have to work
on minimizing that. When we upgraded, we were thinking, if it's
going to be that noisy, it doesn't make sense to go with Neptune
again. But they've fixed that. They've improved a very good prod-
uct." OSM
E-mail dbernard@outpatientsurgery.net.
In addition to a system's ability to protect providers from direct contact with fluid
and its ease and efficiency of use, cost is often a leading factor in the choice. Not just
the capital outlay or financing arrangement to acquire the equipment, but any
plumbing renovations that may be necessary for its operation or the continuing
expense of filters or other disposable components.
There are also questions of functionality. For example, how powerful is the system's
suction? Does it have the capacity to serve an entire day's schedule of cases? What
maintenance is necessary between uses or at day's end, and how long does it take?
What are its power requirements? How loud is it when it's in use? How much space
does it occupy? Will it accommodate multiple instruments or attachments?
— David Bernard
