Chapter 33 – Product Evaluation

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ABSTRACT

The healthcare economy demands that institutions carefully and efficiently evaluate medical products. Selected products must be clinically effective, economically efficient for the healthcare organization, and meet patient and employee safety objectives. To ensure that infection prevention aims are considered, infection preventionists must be involved in the product selection process. Device-associated infections are an important focus of infection prevention programs. Similarly, manufacturers seek to improve and design products that prevent healthcare-associated infection in order to increase their market share. It is important that new technology and manufacturer claims be evaluated and cost justified. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) emphasis on safety-engineered sharps devices and needleless systems to reduce the risk of occupational exposure bloodborne diseases dictates that product evaluation processes include these products. Additionally, employers are required to solicit input from frontline healthcare workers when selecting safety devices. Processes for product selection should be well defined so that outcome and safety objectives are not lost in the convoluted pathways through group purchasing organizations, cost control systems, and product evaluation committees.

Last Revised: 12/13/09 6:58 PM