Operating Room Supply Cost Awareness: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

We assessed surgeon knowledge of commonly used instruments and disposable items and described attitudes toward incorporating cost data into daily practice.

An electronic, e-mail based survey was distributed to faculty and trainees in the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Urology. The 26-question survey assessed opinions regarding general operating room supply cost information and specific costs of 10 supplies used for laparoscopic nephrectomy. A response was considered accurate when it fell within 50% of the actual cost.

The response rate was 71% among faculty (13) and 90% among trainees (17). Overall 55% of faculty and 82% of trainees considered their knowledge of costs "fair" or "poor." The overall accuracy of cost estimation for 10 commonly used supply items was 27% (SD ± 45%), with no significant difference between trainees and faculty (p=0.70). Accuracy was not associated with self-reported cost knowledge (p=0.25) or number of laparoscopic nephrectomies performed (p=0.47). Of the faculty 33% and of the trainees 41% reported that having more knowledge of costs would motivate them to decrease their operating room supply costs, and 42% of faculty raised the idea of an incentive program. Overall 75% of study participants believe that there is "too little" or "not enough" emphasis placed on cost awareness.

Trainees and faculty generally have poor knowledge of operating room supply costs. In our academic setting we noted an interest among faculty and residents to make cost data more accessible. These data would provide an opportunity for surgeons to act as cost arbiters in the operating room.