That said, engaging physicians and using outcomes data can help providers find value in spine implants, according to Chris Stewart, assistant vice president of HealthTrust, and Michael Schlosser, MD, vice president and CMO of HealthTrust, a company that provides total cost management solutions including supply chain consulting and group purchasing.
Mr. Stewart and Dr. Schlosser outlined a few steps on how to do just that at the Becker’s 13th Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference + The Future of Spine in Chicago June 11.
“Due to health reform, providers like us are now responsible for managing the value equation in a much more real way,” said Dr. Schlosser. “What we’re trying to do is partner with physicians to try and find ways to improve the value of the implants we use in our surgeries.”
According to Dr. Schlosser, providers should set up a “best practice committee” that includes physician champions to make better and cost-efficient decisions around implants. The committee should:
1. Develop a hypothesis. The physician-led committee should begin by narrowing the focus of their examination on specific implants and devices for specific procedures.
2. Conduct research. Next, they should collect and analyze the best published evidence and literature available on these spine products.
3. Present evidence and discuss. Once evidence has been aggregated, the committee members should discuss the outcomes and examine the best and worst sources of evidence.
4. Provide feedback and summarize evidence. The evidence should be summarized and the committee members should create potential guidelines for the implants.
5. Track metrics to monitor adoption and outcomes. Once guidelines are implemented, it’s crucial the committee follow up by tracking progress with adoption and compliance, as well as outcomes.
“This model is about collaboration,” said Mr. Stewart. “It’s about working with the supplier, physician and administration to improve cost savings, patient experience and physician experience.”
Mr. Stewart went on to urge providers to take the outcomes data that comes out of the physician committee to suppliers to lower implant costs and standardize implants and devices used across the provider organization.
