Novation Bariatric Survey Finds Increase in Procedures, More Education and Prevention Planned Due to Healthcare Reform

IRVING, Texas, Feb. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- To help hospitals understand trends in bariatric care, Novation, the leading health care supply chain expertise, analytics and contracting company, today issued its latest Bariatric Report. Based on a survey in late 2013 of U.S. health care providers, the report finds overall increases in bariatric surgeries, continued use of minimally invasive procedures and a greater focus on prevention based on health care reform.

In the most recent report, 63 percent of hospitals surveyed reported an increase in the number of bariatric surgeries performed in the last 18 months. In addition, the majority of hospitals plan to expand patient and employee obesity education and prevention programs due to health care reform changes. About 64 percent indicated they will increase education and programs for patients, while 66 percent plan to increase programs for staff, both up compared to 2012 survey results.

Two-thirds of adults in the United States are currently overweight and more than 35 percent of the population – approximately 72 million people – are classified as obese according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With obesity levels on the rise, it is predicted that over half the adult population will be classified as obese by 2030, which is expected to have a significant economic impact as medical costs for obese patients tend to run 30-40 percent higher.

"Reducing cost and increasing quality of care remain a top priority for health care providers, as they continue to be challenged to do more with less.  For bariatric programs, it is critical that we understand what the members we serve need to provide care for greater numbers of obese patients," said Cathy Denning, RN, senior vice president, sourcing operations, Novation. "Based on the trends, including more minimally invasive procedures, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of the most widely used bariatric products to help hospitals lower supply costs and provide high quality care."

The Novation Bariatric Report also revealed:

• More than 90 percent of hospitals indicated their facilities offer gastric banding surgery, 80 percent offer gastric bypass endoscopic and 72 percent offer gastric sleeve, which is the fastest growing category of bariatric procedure, highlighting the trend of more minimally invasive procedures.
• Respondents reported fewer bariatric-related reconstruction surgeries performed in the last 18 months compared to last year: 61 percent in 2012 to 46 percent in 2013.
• The most commonly used patient handling equipment was durable medical equipment, including wheelchairs, walkers, and commodes, as well as beds. Beds were reported as the highest total cost item and most often ordered equipment.
• Slightly fewer facilities reported investing in physical renovations to accommodate bariatric patients, from 36 percent in 2012 to 33 percent.

The Novation Bariatric Report was based on online survey results from 125 hospitals – members of VHA Inc., UHC, Children's Hospital Association and Provista – about their purchasing decisions in the last 12-18 months.

About Novation, Winner of the Ethics Inside® Certification
Founded in 1998, Novation is the leading health care supply chain expertise, analytics and contracting company for the more than 100,000 members and affiliates of VHA Inc. and UHC, two national health care alliances, Children's Hospital Association, an alliance of the nation's leading pediatric facilities, and Provista, LLC. Novation provides alliance members with sourcing services, as well as information and data services. Based in Irving, Texas, Novation develops and manages competitive contracts with more than 800 suppliers. VHA, UHC, and Provista members used Novation contracts to purchase approximately $43 billion in 2012. Novation has earned the coveted Ethics Inside® Certification from Ethisphere Institute, a leading international think tank dedicated to the research and promotion of best practices in corporate ethics and compliance. Novation also was named on Ethisphere's World's Most Ethical Companies list, and is the only company in the health care industry to earn both distinctions for two consecutive years. To learn more about Novation, please visit www.novationco.com and follow @NovationNews.

SOURCE Novation