Late Loaner Trays And The Risks Hospitals Face Today

Late Trays: A common concern in healthcare

When surgical loaner trays are delivered late, the immediate worry is obvious—surgical cases may be delayed or canceled, disrupting schedules and incurring financial losses. However, the impact goes beyond delays and dollars. Late trays can jeopardize patient safety.

Real-world example: A costly coincidence?

A perioperative services leader recently shared eye-opening data: over three months, 45% of their loaner trays were delivered late. During the same period, the hospital experienced a rise in surgical site infections (SSIs).

Is it a coincidence, or is there a link between late trays and increased SSIs? Studies show that SSIs account for 20% of all healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), costing the healthcare industry $3.3 billion annually. While patient safety remains the priority, the financial consequences of SSIs cannot be ignored.

The impact on Sterile Processing Departments (SPD)

Late trays create chaos in Sterile Processing Departments, which are already under pressure to prepare instruments on tight timelines. SPD professionals must follow strict instructions for use (IFUs) to ensure proper cleaning and sterilization.

When trays arrive late, SPDs often must rush their work, risking errors:

• Interrupted workflows: Existing cleaning tasks are deprioritized.
• Rushed processes: Freshly delivered trays may not receive the attention they need.
• Overlooked details: Inspection and assembly of complex trays like orthopedic or neurosurgical sets can be compromised.

These challenges are not the fault of SPD staff, who operate under immense pressure. The real issue lies in a flawed process that prioritizes speed over safety.

Why risk patient safety?

Late trays can disrupt the entire perioperative loop, creating risks that extend from operational inefficiencies to clinical complications. Cutting corners to meet unrealistic timelines compromises patient care—a risk no hospital should take.

A smarter solution: ReadySet Surgical

ReadySet Surgical partners with healthcare facilities and vendors to address the root causes of late tray deliveries. By optimizing communication and ensuring timely delivery of trays and implants, ReadySet supports SPDs in maintaining compliance and high standards of care.

With ReadySet’s comprehensive platform, hospitals can streamline vendor coordination, reduce delays, and prioritize patient safety—all while improving operational and financial outcomes.

The bottom line on late loaner trays

Late trays don’t just delay surgeries—they compromise patient safety and hospital efficiency. It’s time to adopt solutions that mitigate these risks and elevate the standard of care. ReadySet Surgical is here to help.