Dental Innovator: How Hu-Friedy's IMS® increases efficiency and offers a solid ROI [VIDEO]

Dr. Angela Cotey provides some of the latest advances in dental technology in her private practice. She attends extensive postdoctoral studies in advanced dentistry with a special focus on restorative dentistry and prevention. She earned her doctorate from Marquette University and served in the U.S. Navy where she completed a residency at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. She gives back to the community through the Give Kids a Smile Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County, and dental mission trips around the world.

Q: It seems that many offices are looking for ways to increase efficiency. What products have helped you find tangible time savings?

A: There are many new technologies that save us time and increase efficiency. The big ones include digital charting and radiographs, cassettes and procedure tubs and making sure that we’re using high quality materials and instruments. Personally, any product that can make a practice more streamlined and efficient is a must, which is why I invested in Hu-Friedy’sInstrument Management System (IMS^®).

Q: How has IMS helped make your team and practice more productive?

A: I run a small office, so when we get busy we need to be able to help each other. We are all fully cross-trained so anyone in the office can assist, as well as set up or clean up a room. Having color coded IMS cassettes and procedure tubs has streamlined our process, allowing us to know that each set up is sterile and ready to go. Not having to search through pouches for missing instruments greatly increases our productivity.

Check out this side-by-side comparison of Hu-Friedy's IMS

Q: What, if any, learning curve did your team face in implementing the system?

A: Whenever a new technology is introduced to an office there is some resistance to change. An assistant who had been with the practice for many years was hesitant-she believed cassettes were unnecessary. Her attitude changed right after we started implementing them into our daily routine and she realized how efficient the system is. My entire office also comments on how they feel safer when it comes to preventing sharps exposure and love how it eliminates instrument hand-scrubbing.

Q: The average practice saves 5 to 10 minutes per procedure when using IMS. How have you used that recaptured time?

A: We are able to see more patients on a daily basis, making us more productive and increasing our bottom line. It also allows time for us to focus on non-procedure related activities such as team building, continuing education courses, administrative duties, marketing and social media outreach and taking part in community service. One of the best perks of IMS is the extra time we have to get to know our patients on a personal level.

Q: In addition to time savings, would you say you’ve seen a financial return on this investment?

A: When patients come in for appointments they seem much more aware of their surroundings and have started paying attention to the steps taken by myself and my staff in regards to their well-being. I think they are looking for a more modern and clean office. Implementing IMS has helped us impress existing patients and attract new ones. Another added bonus is that IMS keeps instruments from getting damaged, saving us money by not having to replace things so often. With new patients, minimized instrument costs and the time and energy saved for my staff and myself, the initial investment for IMS seems minimal. I would definitely encourage other offices to practice using Hu- Friedy’s Instrument Management System.

FEATURED PRODUCTS

IMS Cassettes

Maximizing efficiency is possible when the exact procedural set up needed for each patient is at your fingertips. The Instrument Management System (IMS®) standardizes and combines the cleaning, sterilization, storage and organization of instruments in one integrated cassette system. This creates results that can save up to 5-10 minutes per procedure while eliminating dangerous processing steps that require handling of contaminated, sharp instruments.

Procedural Tubs

Procedural tubs are flexible tools to organize and transport items, such as consumable products, and can be color coded to match your cassettes, creating the most efficient Instrument Management System. Procedural tubs standardize your materials required for a specific procedure, eliminating time-consuming tray prep. Disposables, cassettes, and other items can be safely transported, using locking lids to protect contents from airborne contamination.

Hand Essentials

Hu-Friedy Hand Essentials™ has been designed specifically to help promote proper hand hygiene protocols in the dental office. Each product supports specific routines that dental professionals perform each day including hand washing and skin protection as recommended by the CDC. The Hand Essentials line includes medical grade lotions, sanitizers, and soaps. All Hu-Friedy Hand Essentials products are tested to be latex and CHG friendly, making them compatible with other products in the dental office.