The Use of Consignment Method to Increase Joint Replacement Surgeries in a Tertiary Hospital
Michael A. Saturnino, MD; Stephen B. Tabladillo; Orlando M. Alimbuyuguen, MD; Chino N. Tayag, MD; Marjorie B. Sierra, MD; Merce Kristin T. Saturnino, MD; Carine R. Lacuesta, MD; Jerome C. Cid, MD
DMMHMC
The number of joint replacement surgeries in the Philippines is continually on the rise as the population ages and fragility fractures become more commonplace. Unfortunately, the cost of joint replacement implant still remains a huge burden in the great majority of our patients. The Universal Health Care Act of 2019 ensures that all Filipinos can access quality and affordable healthcare services. In line with this, the Department of Health made the procurement of medical devices such as joint replacement implants easier through consignment method. In developed countries with socialized healthcare system, this has been a standard operating procedure in both government and private hospitals. For this reason, the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center started consigning hip and knee replacement implants since August 2021. This significantly increased the census of joint replacement surgeries by more than 50% in just 8 months compared to the average cases done from 2017-2020 combined. It was also observed that since its implementation, 9 out 10 candidates for joint replacement surgery were able to undergo the procedure without undue financial burden. Thus, this method proved to be effective and consistent with the goals of the Universal Health Care Act.