Client: MetroHealth
Location: Cleveland, OH
Service Lines: 1
Number of ORs: 6
The Challenge
MetroHealth, a leading healthcare provider, was facing a growing problem with surgical instrument management. Their surgical trays were overstocked with unnecessary instruments, leading to wasted time, higher labor costs, and inefficiencies in both the Operating Room (OR) and Sterile Processing Department (SPD).
The issues included:
- Wasted Time: 2,600 hours annually in the OR and 9,880 hours in the SPD.
- Increased Costs: $925,880 annually for a 6-OR hospital.
- Operational Delays: 148 hours lost due to avoidable case delays.
These challenges were made worse by staffing shortages and financial pressures in the post-COVID healthcare environment.
The Solution: ORion™
To tackle these issues, MetroHealth partnered with Pegasys Medical to implement ORion, an AI-driven platform designed to optimize surgical trays and reduce costs without disrupting clinical workflows.
The process involved three key steps:
- Data Collection: Scrub techs and circulating nurses captured images of used instruments at the end of each procedure using ORion.
- AI Data Analysis: The images were uploaded to Pegasys’ cloud-based platform, where proprietary AI technology transformed them into actionable usage data.
- Optimization & Implementation: MetroHealth worked with Pegasys to identify key factors for tray optimization, customize algorithms, and reconfigure trays based on actual usage data.
Implementation Process
ORion was first applied to three laminectomy trays (Cervical, String, and Lumbar). The implementation included:
- Staff Training: Onsite training ensured the image capture process integrated smoothly into the OR workflow.
- Daily Huddles: Regular reminders and feedback sessions kept staff engaged and informed.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Usage data guided the removal of unused instruments and the redesign of trays.
The Results
ORion delivered significant improvements for MetroHealth, both quantitatively and qualitatively:
Quantitative Outcomes:
- SPD Savings:
- Cervical Laminectomy: $2,648 saved annually, 20 SPD hours saved.
- String Laminectomy: $20,956 saved annually, 160 SPD hours saved.
- Lumbar Laminectomy: $2,584 saved annually, 20 SPD hours saved.
- Total SPD Savings: $26,188 and 200 SPD hours saved across the three trays.
- OR Savings:
- 327 hours saved annually, equivalent to 130 additional procedures.
- No increase in OR turnover times, thanks to the quick 30-second image capture process.
- Multi-Tray Optimization:
- Reconfiguring three trays into two reduced inventory by 33%, saving $31,810 annually and 208 SPD hours.
- Total Potential Savings:
- $3.7 million and 24,267 SPD hours (equivalent to 11.5 full-time employees) across 350 tray configurations.
Qualitative Feedback:
- Staff reported high satisfaction with ORion, praising its ease of use and the value of daily reminders.
- The program fostered a culture of continuous improvement and staff engagement.
Why It Worked
- Data-Driven Approach: ORion’s AI-powered insights provided clear, actionable data to optimize surgical trays and reduce costs.
- Staff Involvement: Engaging OR and SPD staff in the process ensured buy-in and sustained success.
- Leadership Support: MetroHealth’s leadership played a critical role in driving the program’s success through their commitment to data-driven decision-making and staff engagement.
The Bigger Picture
MetroHealth’s partnership with Pegasys Medical and the implementation of ORion demonstrated the transformative potential of AI-driven solutions in healthcare. The program not only delivered substantial cost savings and operational efficiencies but also improved staff satisfaction and workflow.
This case study highlights how innovative technology, combined with strong leadership and staff engagement, can address some of healthcare’s most pressing challenges.
Interested in Learning More?
If your organization is facing similar challenges, schedule a demo with our team to see how ORion can help you achieve measurable results.
