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Experience curve compared with manufacturing processes for TKA
Shameem A C Sampath1, Howard Davies, South Voon
1Bluespot Knee Clinic, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire FY8 1PF, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
In the experience curve concept set forth by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), production time falls by a set percentage every time cumulative production doubles. NASA has established benchmark figures for different manufacturing processes, and we have used these figures in analyzing our first 240 navigated total knee arthroplasties for varus knees. Our experience curve was 93% (P < .001), which is similar to the experience curve (90%) for processes consisting of 25% hand assembly and 75% machining. We suggest that the experience curve may provide a guide for comparing different surgical teams and navigation systems and for resource allocation.