A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T 4 1
What
surgeons want
Edie Patterson, BSN, RN,
CNOR, nurse case manag-
er at Tennessee
Orthopaedic Clinics, an
ortho specialty group
based in the eastern half
of the Volunteer State,
says her surgeons recently needed to upgrade the line of power tools they'd
been using since 1995. "The tools were outdated," she says. "We wanted to
increase their performance, efficiency, ease of use and standardization."
When it came time to pull the trigger on the upgrade, they decided to re-up
with the manufacturer they were already working with, because of the perform-
ance and quality of the tools as well as the solid service agreement that kept the
instruments in top working order.
Ms. Patterson says her surgeons like to work with powerful, lightweight tools
that deliver increased power and torque to the business end. Drills and saws
designed to run quieter at top speed protect surgeons and staff from significant
noise pollution in the OR, she points out.
She also says intuitive drill and bit loading makes setting up cases easier. In
addition, universal handpieces speed switching between drill and saw attach-
ments in the middle of procedures and limit equipment stocking requirements.
Ms. Patterson notes that the new line of tools is compatible with the older bat-
teries and attachments, so the upgrade didn't necessitate an additional invest-
ment in replacement accessories.
Harold Cates Jr., MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Tennessee Orthopaedic
Clinics, says he needs high speed, oscillating saws for cutting during joint
replacement procedures and multiple speed settings for trauma procedures,
z CUTTING EDGE Saws need to cut fast and accurately,
especially during joint replacement procedures.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
