The use of stable technology — or generics — can save surgeons up to 80 percent, according to Dr. Rhode. “Do you want to save that 80 percent? Take back ownership and responsibility, lose the sales rep, manage your inventory and connect directly to tier two manufacturers,” he said.
RFID technology allows surgeons transact directly with tier two manufacturers, who keep costs low by cutting out the middlemen, according to Dr. Rhode. “It’s the Amazon.com of implant management,” he said. The RFID technology allows manufacturer inventories to be uploaded, price-transparently, to the cloud, while physicians can set up automatic order systems based on their inventory, thus ensuring cost- and utilization-appropriate inventory for physicians at all times.
“RFID tracks patients and expensive things. If we can track devices and manage implants, we can start saving money, especially between the shelf and manufacturer,” he added. “Take back your inventory,” he advised surgeons. “Some procedures need a sales representative, but not all.”
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