Table 3 The MEAT VBP Framework applied to the Biogel® PI indicator system

Costs

Product

Purchasing

1. Price of purchasing / renting product / solution

The Biogel® synthetic double-gloving system has a price that reflects its high quality and performance.

2. Delivery and installation

Delivery and installation costs are typically included in the final purchase price by Biogel® distributors.

For the past 4 years, over 99% of Biogel® inventory has been available at all times, reducing the impact of back orders.

3. Conversion: staff training for new product

Biogel® clinical advisers are available to provide real time support in the Operating Room at no additional charge and will enable the surgical team to choose the glove material, size and features that are right for them.

4. Compatibility: upgrades to systems / infrastructure

Synthetic Biogel® gloves will support the creation of a latex-free environment with cost-saving arising from elimination of patient allergy screening.

Storage

5. Storage room / infrastructure

Biogel® undergloves and overgloves are supplied in a single pack to reduce storage space.

6. Replacement at end of shelf life

Assistance is available to remove outgoing gloves and enable conversion to Biogel®.

Disposal

7. Disposal / de- commissioning

Negligible impact on clinical waste management costs.

Care delivery

Operating / healthcare delivery

8. Medical staff time using device

Biogel® double-gloving systems support staff productivity by being easier to don; less likely to fail during use; making punctures visible if they do occur; and not requiring the anatomical surgical scrub process to be repeated if only the outer glove fails.

9. Infrastructure usage

All Biogel® gloves are air-inflated and visually inspected before packing, enabling defects occurring during the packing process to be detected and delivering the lowest in-use failure rate of any surgical glove manufacturer [48].

10. Unplanned usage: failure rate

Made from polysoprene and free from any chemical accelerators, synthetic Biogel surgical gloves fully support the elimination of latex from the Operating Room, therefore reducing the time lost to tear-downs.

Patient benefits

1. Reduction of risk of Surgical Site Infection (SSI)

Biogel® gloves have an AQL process average of 0.20 versus an industry standard of 0.65 resulting in the lowest in-use failure rate of any surgical glove manufacturer [48].

A patented Puncture Indication System combines a coloured underglove with an opaque overglove, highlighting trapped fluid and making perforations and punctures highly detectable [49].

Both these features significantly reduce the risk of glove failure and associated SSIs.

2. Reduction of risk of allergic or anaphylactic reactions

Biogel® synthetic gloves are free from natural rubber latex, reducing the risk of allergic or anaphylactic reactions or sensitivity due to frequent or prolonged exposure.

Healthcare professional benefits

3. Reduction of risk of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens

Double-gloving using surgical gloves that provide a Puncture Indication System reduces the risk of sharps injuries and exposure to blood-borne pathogens by up to 71% [49].

4. Reduction of risk of allergic or anaphylactic reactions

Biogel® synthetic gloves are free from natural rubber latex, reducing the risk of allergic or anaphylactic reactions or sensitivity due to frequent or prolonged exposure.

5. Ease-of-use / handling and functionality

This type of glove is manufactured for a comfortable fit and precise feeling [50].

Healthcare provider and healthcare system benefits

6. Training and access to education

Regular CPD/CME accredited clinical training is available for Biogel® users

7. Strategic fit for provider and support of strategy

Biogel® gloves can play a significant role in strategic projects focused on implementing the International Patient Safety Goals, improving operating room productivity, or enhancing the occupational health and safety of healthcare workers.

8. Reduction of medico-legal claims

Synthetic glove such as Biogel® which have a very low risk of perforation or pinhole defects support reduction of SSIs, patient allergies and occupational exposure to pathogens and latex.

Reduced occupational exposure to needlestick injuries and early detection reduces the risk of litigation following the occurrence a clinical adverse event.