PREFcards | Case Study
Revolutionizing OR Efficiency in ENT Surgery
CASE STUDY: 3-OR SINGLE SPECIALTY ENT SURGERY CENTER
This case study examines the implementation of PREFcards.com, a digital OR preference
card management software, in a 3-OR single specialty ENT surgery center. The study reveals
significant benefits in cost savings, operational efficiency, and patient care consistency.
The surgery center faced inefficiencies and high
costs due to non-standardized preference cards,
particularly for their most common procedure:
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy. This aligns with
industry-wide challenges, as inaccurate preference
cards can lead to increased costs, delays, and
inefficiencies in the OR [1].
CASE STUDY: 3-OR SINGLE SPECIALTY ENT SURGERY CENTER
Overview
Challenges
PREFcards—
Revolutionizing OR Efficiency in ENT SurgeryPREFcards | Case Study
The surgery center implementing PREFcards.com,
focused on:
1. Standardizing and optimizing preference cards
across all surgeons.
2. Utilizing the Procedure Costs report to identify
best practices.
3. Employing the AI Card Suggestions feature to
refine cards based on actual usage and waste.
Cost Savings:
Potential annual savings of over $160,000 by optimizing just two preference cards
for Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy.
One surgeon’s more efficient method, when adopted by others, could cut operating
time in half.
This is a 65 times return on ENT surgery center’s investment.
Efficiency Improvements:
PREFcards’ advisor tool identifying wasted supplies in reoccurring procedures.
Automated card selection saving clerical time.
Improved time management through detailed reporting on case durations.
Facilities using a digital solution to manage their preference cards see a 13%
reduction in the average number of items picked per case [2].
Operational Benefits:
Decreased delays in setup due to detailed
notes on preference cards.
Easier case scheduling.
22% reduction in cases with unused items
returned to inventory.
10% reduction in wasted items within cases.
60% reduction in case picking errors.
Results
Solution
Pia, a surgical tech, at the surgery
center, noted:
“ The note feature in PREFcards
(especially for specific items) helps
OR staff confidence by labeling what
certain supplies are for (right under
it) and how to use/prepare them as
well. At our surgery center, we tend
to assign our techs/circulators to
the same surgeons, so when one is
sick or on vacation, this feature is a
lifesaver to prevent delays (especially
pictures of set ups!).”PREFcards | Case Study
The results achieved by this ENT surgery center align with industry-wide findings:
University of Washington saved over $1 million through preference card optimization [3].
A large health system projected savings of $5 million to $7 million annually across multiple
departments through preference card cleanup [4].
Standardized preference cards can reduce variation in surgical supply costs by up to 30%.
Cost Reduction: By identifying
and standardizing best practices,
PREFcards significantly reduces
supply costs and waste.
Time Savings: Automated card
selection and detailed setup
instructions minimize delays and
improve OR turnover times.
Improved Accuracy: AI-driven
suggestions ensure preference cards
reflect actual usage, reducing over-
picking and stockouts.
Enhanced Staff Satisfaction: Clear
instructions and consistent setups
reduce stress and improve workflow
for OR staff.
Data-Driven Decision Making:
Detailed cost and time reports allow
for continuous improvement in
OR processes.
Industry Context
Key Benefits of PREFcards.com
The implementation of PREFcards.com at this ENT surgery center demonstrated that
standardization leads to significant cost savings and time savings through easier scheduling and
detailed cards limiting delays. This case study highlights the transformative potential of digital
preference card management in optimizing OR operations, reducing costs, and enhancing overall
healthcare delivery.
Conclusion
Sources:
1. IMO Health, “Preference Cards 101: The Key to Maximizing OR Utilization”
2. NCBI, “Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Surgical Instrument Sterilization Costs”
3. Vizient Inc., “Physician preference cards: How a small card can lead to big savings in the operating room”
4. OR Manager, “Preference card cleanup projected to cut costs across departments”