Instrumentation Now and in the Future

Looking back on my own career, it amazes me at the advances in instrumentation from then until now. I remember working for a particular hospital at the age of 18 (I am now 40) and laparoscopic instrumentation was just being considered there. In fact, most of the instrumentation was given a cursory quick rinse and assembly before being passed over to us to finish. We only used one steam cycle and the idea that you potentially had to “change” the settings just was not something most thought of.

We were one of the first to get the new-to-the-industry Sterrad system, ETO was never questioned and not as well understood, or rather it was not taken as seriously as it should have been (like all sterilization modalities).

Times were different and evolving. They still are. They will continue to and at an exponentially faster rate now then our past experiences.

To keep up with this, you might want to consider the following:

·        Subscribe to as many trade periodicals as possible. Sign up for on-line editions of newsletters and information from instrumentation companies.

·        Invite manufacturers in to discuss the future. Ask to tour companies.

·        Work with physicians and ask them what is trending for them (they drive what will be coming out in the market).

·        Review new surgical techniques from leading edge facilities.

·        Ask developers their perspective on raw materials and inquiries by manufacturers.

·        Ask to be a part of instrumentation companies, to be a part of their beta teams. This way you will always get the latest information first. You will need to ensure you exercise the upmost integrity as to not compromise trade secrets or developments.

·        Take a look at other progressive nations and their processes, developments and roll-out of new instruments and technology in sterile processing and surgical services.

Instrumentation may be a very broad topic, but it can and must be managed well currently and for the future. With a bit of research and with specific intention you can remain ahead of customer needs in terms of instrumentation to be able to serve well into the future without sacrificing time playing catch up!