That’s where OpLogix enters the picture.
Founded in 2012 by orthopedic surgeon Steven Hass, MD, of New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery, and Michael Roe, technology entrepreneur, OpLogix is a cloud-based solution ensuring proper medical devices are available and ready for surgeons during joint replacements.
“We found that the management of medical devices and implants is very inefficient and it is often fraught with errors,” says Mr. Roe, President and CEO, OpLogix. This inefficiency may be a consequence of hospitals and manufacturers facing financial pressures, forcing a cut down in personnel. With less people focused on the process, there are bound to be more mistakes.
“The volume of surgeries is going up in hospitals, and the personnel involved is going down,” says Mr. Roe. “And the quality expectation is going up. Something has got to give in the manual process.”
OpLogix transforms the traditionally informal implant process into a formal computerized system. The solution includes four phases: Prepare, Verify, Supply and Analyze.
After matching hospital preferences with an implant schedule, OpLogix develops a simple list of demands for individual cases based on compatibility rules. Preparing the implants in this way eliminates the informal process of a surgeon verbally telling a vendor representative what he or she needs a week before surgery.
The Verify step checks implant barcode labels to ensure proper selection and that no parts are recalled or expired. The solution also assures compatibility of the implants based on manufacturer rules. OpLogix offers the “bill and replace” consignment model for the Supply step, enhancing transparency into implant supply.
The final step of the process offers analytics, so hospitals can better predict which implants and devices they prefer for certain procedures. The data allows hospitals to stock a leaner inventory.
OpLogix leaders have their sights set on cardiology and ophthalmology next. Mr. Roe says the company plans to move into this arena because implant mistakes in these specialties can bear far greater consequences than in joint replacement.
“I think the fundamental issue in healthcare is improving quality, while maintaining or reducing costs,” says Mr. Roe. “[OpLogix] fundamentally improves the quality and efficiency of the entire implant lifecycle.”
More articles on devices:
Spine implant to know: CentraLIF from Globus Medical
NuVasive prices offering at $550M: 6 key notes
BioTras receives patent for spine stimulator: 5 quick facts
At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.
