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Only two non-critical devices reprocessed
In the first year of reprocessing partnership, Hygia Health Services, Inc. (Hygia) and a large Birmingham hospital produced $200,146.42 in hospital rebates through the managed re-use of compressible limb sleeves and pulse oximeter probes. Recently, this hospital has approved the addition of blood pressure cuffs to the reprocessing protocol. Several other devices are under review by a hospital committee including tourniquets, various braces and supports, restraints, and laryngoscope blades. Because of their non-critical nature, these target devices are viewed more favorably for reprocessing by hospital Risk Management and Infection Control.
Unit-level recovery pleases staff, increases savings
Protocol introduction was carefully planned in order to minimize staff burden and to maximize enthusiasm and compliance. All shifts of targeted units were presented a ten-minute in-service training 
detailing reprocessing benefits to the hospital, staff, patient, and environment. A clearly marked recovery container(s) was located conveniently in each unit and all licensed staff, patient care technicians, and uniformed support staff were made aware of its location. Because these containers are located in the nursing units, initial staff participation was made easy and device recoveries were strong and predictable.
Immediate feedback, protocol management keys to success
During weekly device recovery, Hygia representatives secure each container and then individually identify the recovery container source unit. Upon reception at Hygia's lab, these containers are
opened and each included device is uniquely tagged. As device and source unit data is scanned through Hygia's custom tracking software, immediate reports are generated detailing unit compliance, devices recovered, savings produced, etc. A recovery report is e-mailed to all concerned employees in Purchasing, Materials Management, Value Analysis, Administration, Finance and to all Nurse Managers within 48 hours of the recovery. This immediate feedback has shown to motivate staff to greater compliance, and thus greater overall savings. Hygia representatives also monitor this data weekly and are able to reward exceptional units and to quickly intervene with units exhibiting a downtrend.
Rebates projected to double this year, may reach $1,000,000 in future
The Hygia reprocessing protocol has now expanded to include 34 acute care and intensive care units. Based upon this new level of participation and on the anticipated inclusion of additional devices in the protocol, hospital rebates for this fiscal year are expected to double to $400,000. As other non-critical devices are identified and approved, there is a very real possibility that this hospital could realize more than $1,000,000/year in hard dollar savings through a non-critical device reprocessing partnership with Hygia.
