SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
cleaning, disinfection, inspection, packaging, sterilisation, transport, storage, use and repeat. The inspection stage is also where a decision is made as to whether or not the instrument should be scrapped.” Many companies like Surgical Holdings
will partner with hospitals and customers to create instruments with bespoke patterns and designs, tailored to the requirements of the surgeon. Coole continued: “We work in partnership with our customers, offering solutions to their needs. For example, our tray refurbishment service respects the need to carefully manage the hospital budget, refurbishing instruments to an ‘as new’ standard, whilst also addressing potential protein adhesion risk, reworking the surface of the devices, removing scratches and crevices.” It is this personal service that makes the surgical instrument industry so unique. However, like any high-quality offering, businesses must price their services accordingly in order to survive. This does not always mean providing the cheapest service, but it does enable better outcomes for healthcare professionals and patients. As such, long-term savings will be felt right
across the health system, through a reduction in infection, bed-stay and improved efficiency. Paula Singleton-Hobbs, clinical business manager for B. Braun’s Aesculap Division, added: “There are a whole host of factors that go into the pricing equation. From the ethical sourcing of raw materials, full regulatory
compliance and ongoing, personalised support. “We are incredibly proud of what we do, and the end-user must be aware of what goes into providing a quality product and service when it comes to choosing the suppliers for their needs. Cheaper does not necessarily mean better.”
About ABHI
ABHI supports the HealthTech community to provide products and services that help people live healthier lives. As the voice of the industry, the ABHI aims to show the value of health technology and overcome barriers to people benefitting from it - now and in the future. Members include leading multinationals through to small and medium sized enterprises.
The ABHI represents the HealthTech
industry to key stakeholders, such as governments, healthcare systems and regulators.
Surgical Instrument Purchase and Care Guide
The ABHI group recently created the “Surgical Instrument Purchase and Care Guide.” The document provides guidance for purchasing and caring for surgical instruments. As well as helping healthcare providers achieve the best whole life value for money in their purchasing decisions, the guide also discusses ethical manufacturing and the NHS Supply Chain’s Labour Standards Assurance System (LSAS). ABHI has its own code of business practice which supports the ethical sourcing of products. The Surgical Instruments SIS Group worked with NHS Supply Chain as part of the 2012 (and pending 2017) Surgical Instruments Framework Agreement to launch its Labour Standards Assurance System.
LSAS is a matrix of ethical requirements designed by NHS Supply Chain and the Department of Health, through which suppliers are audited and assessed by a third party notifiedbody. The responsibility is with the supplier to ensure there is continual progress and regular risk assessment and review, to mitigate potential ethical and labour risks in the supply chain. This has been embedded since 2012 and many of ABHI’s members have improved to obtain level 2 and 3 on the framework. ABHI is committed to promoting good ethical practice amongst members, and sees this as integral and essential for improving labour standards in both single use and reusable surgery instrument manufacturing.
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