Preparing For The End-Of-Year Cataract Rush

We call November through December the “End-Of-Year Cataract Rush”. Insurance deductibles generally roll-over on Jan 1st, and for many patients, deductibles have been met fully met towards the end of the year. This means that (generally speaking) ophthalmologists and their practices experience an influx of cataract cases in the final 2 months of the year. In fact, this is true for many other specialty fields as well. Since we are in the cataract surgery business, our team experiences this and expects this every year.

How To Prepare For the Busy Cataract Surgery Season?

1) The Right Team

A big piece of the puzzle is making sure your OR systems are fine-tuned. A well-oiled machine runs smoother and more efficiently. Who is in charge of what? Do you have designated point-people on your team that act as the “go-to person” for specific roles in the context of cataract day? If not, then your team has holes in how efficient you can be.  This is tough for many ORs because eyes are not the only (and also not the most profitable) cases, and your team can only wear so many hats!

Surgical Direct’s Mobile Cataract Service provides a highly-trained and experienced technician for every case we provide equipment for. This means, for every cataract surgery with us, you will have help, knowledge, and support. In our experience (and from the mouth of our customers), our technicians help increase efficiency through their supply management skills, preparation, and assistance with technical specs on the equipment.

2) The Right Equipment

Speaking of equipment, you need the right equipment if you want to increase your efficiency. Every time new cataract technology is released, there have been enhancements made in safety and efficiency from the previous technology. Study the evolution of every phaco platform and ophthalmic microscope in the past 20 years, and every update has included technology, software, and hardware updates that support safer and more efficient surgery. That begs to reason that if you use the latest technology available for cataracts, you’ll likely have shorter and safer cases. The biggest hurdle for most ORs….the cost to keep up with the technology!

Surgical Direct is your technology solution! Using our services, you’ll be able to stay current with ophthalmic technology without investing your capital dollars or dealing with the necessary equipment maintenance.

3) The Right Supplies

Having what the doctor needs when they need it is a crucial part of keeping case time low. Ophthalmologists use a wide variety of unique (and tiny) supplies. To the untrained eye, 20 cannulas look the same, but under a microscope, they are all different and used for specific purposes in surgery. Most OR teams can figure this out for normal routine cases. It gets tricky when the surgeon wants to implant a different lens or has a complication (minor or major). Keeping all regular and irregular supplies and lenses stocked can be a time-consuming task.

Part of our Mobile Cataract Service includes inventory management for both case supplies and lenses. We work directly with the surgeon to ensure they have what they need (and what they want) on-hand. During surgery, we play an active role in the room, grabbing requested supplies, assisting with lens changes, and helping with case turnover.

So remember, during this end-of-year rush think about your efficiency in regards to cataracts. Is there room for improvement? We are ready to partner with you and your OR in 2020 to give you the most seamless and efficient cataract experience possible!

Call Toll Free | 800-346-0544

Sign up for a FREE Demo Day

More about our Mobile Cataract Services

Like this article?

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Linkdin
Email

We can find the right solution together.

Let’s have a conversation about your unique needs and situation, and together, we’ll determine the best path forward. We are here to help.