Device representatives have positioned themselves in the operating room, especially during orthopedic and neurosurgery procedures, according to Kaiser Health News. Is their presence necessary and ethical, or do device reps have too much influence in the OR?
Here are five observations:
1. The presence of a medical device rep in the OR is often part of the equipment package a hospital purchases.
2. Device reps are extremely knowledgeable of their companies' products and are at hand to answer surgeons' technical questions.
3. Due to various lawsuits where device reps played a part in unsuccessful surgeries, some hospitals are removing reps from the OR altogether. Loma Linda (Calif.) University Medical Center, for example, began purchasing implants from the manufacturers directly and training surgical technicians in the equipment. The hospital reported it has seen savings of about 50 percent on device costs by buying from the manufacturer and has not seen an impact on outcomes.
4. ECRI Institute, a Pennsylvania nonprofit, suggests hospitals collect written consent from patients if device reps will be in the OR.
5. Proponents of the presence of device reps argue their role is simply to offer training and expertise, making the surgery more efficient. Even if a surgeon may be acquainted with a device, other OR staff members may not be, so the assistance of a device rep proves helpful.