Driving Out Waste and Inefficient Use with Value Analysis

Shaneka N. Demps, RN, BSN, MHSc, CIC, CVAHP Manager, Value Analysis, BayCare Purchasing Partners, LLC

Big Savings and Quality Improvements with Inflatable Patient Positioning and Transfer Devices

It is amazing how value analysis works as a great tool and process to drive positive change in our healthcare organizations. This case study was first presented at AHVAP’ s 2022 Annual Conference as a best practice which got great feedback from the AHVAP VA community and was shared on LinkedIn to help spread the educational points further. That is where Healthcare Value Analysis & Utilization Management Magazine reached out to me to ask me to write an article about this best practice to share with the entire supply chain world. There are many take-aways from this article as well as value analysis and utilization challenges that are addressed here.

Inflatable Patient Positioning Devices - BayCare Health System, Clearwater Florida – Value Analysis Department

Like so many value analysis departments, we handle the efficacy and value reviews on new product requests (NPRs) for BayCare Health System. One major project that went through our VA process in 2017 was inflatable positioning/transfer devices. The primary function of the devices was to reduce a major issue going on in the health system which was back injuries to the clinical team members during patient positioning events. The secondary function we identified was to position the patients and reduce sacral pressure injuries, reduce shearing, and offload pressure on patients. Given the fact that an injury to clinical colleagues is a very serious issue and knowing there was a better way to ensure that patients are positioned properly, we set to the task.

The value analysis team set the target scope for the use of this product and the need for the use and the optimal outcomes that we were looking to achieve during the review and efficacy value analysis process. The new systems were trialed and deployed but there did not seem to be any change in the outcomes with clinical team injuries or with patients having improper positioning issues. However, we did see the costs skyrocket on these products.