Costs effect of single use devices in the medical treatment in Shimane Prefectural Central Hospital

Abstract

For cost-suppression purposes, Shimane Prefectural Central Hospital has been categorizing single-use devices into strictly single-use and re-usable. Materials other than that is temporarily placed in patient's body or in their blood vessel, that may be re-claimed for insurance, is past expiration date-were unused or recycled, and materials that could not be sterilized for safe re-use or reproduction, were sterilized and reused under strict control. However, with the publication of “Regarding the republication handling of single-use medical devices” issued in June 2014, the hospital began to adhere to the package instructions, and to fully practice single use. After the system change, our team followed the movement of 73 medical supplies that was changed to single-use and evaluated the influence on material costs. Results showed a small rising tendency due to initial increase in cost to stock medical materials. We estimated the rise in cost to be 40,320,000 yen. The actual increase in cost was 16,740,000 yen, covering 0.93% of total expense. Although the impact and effects of the strict adherence to single-use instructions provided by the makers was not made clear, we consider advocating for review of usage procedures, price negotiation, and switching to recyclable materials. In light of the recent revision of the medical treatment fees and increase in consumer tax, to optimize the costs of medical materials, particularly the materials unclaimable by insurance, is important.