By Jeff Reinke, editorial director
February 5, 2010
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As I sat down to put this column together, there were a number of topics running through my head. So instead of trying to detail just one of them, here are my thoughts on some recent political, industry and social points following an election, in anticipation of Sunday’s big game and how the future face of the OR needs to be ready for a change.
Super Sunday
Going into the Super Sunday showdown between the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints, one of the most prominent sidebars is if the ankle of Colts All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney will allow him to play. On a larger scale, Freeney’s ankle offers some perspective on the NFL and its treatment of injuries as a whole.
Some teams choose to hide injuries and downplay them as much as possible for either personal or strategic reasons – New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is notorious for refusing to recognize or discuss player health. Are these approaches simply part of a team’s strategic approach? Are they based on the simple fact that these world-class athletes heal differently than the average person, and therefore don’t offer cut-and-dry medical prognostications? Do teams pressure players to play hurt even if they shouldn’t? Or could the topic that no one would ever want to admit play a role – that of gamblers and those that set the betting odds?
A healthy Freeney vs. one that is definitely out could shift the betting line.
Innovation Is Not In Recession
I know that the term recession, as well as all connotations linked to it is passé, at best, right now. We’ve been beaten down with contradicting headlines as Americans roll up their sleeves in working through these tougher financial times. The truth is that no one really knows what lies ahead, but that the nature of our economy will eventually produce brighter days, whenever that is.
A recent issue of a sister publication here at Advantage Business Media – Product Design & Development – offered some interesting comments from those involved in the design and production of components used in various medical equipment. Their comments were interesting and diverse as they responded to whether or not the medical market was recession-proof.
Most offered comments of reserved optimism in describing a market that, as each of you know all too well, will continue to function and spend money on new products, but at a lower level as budgets are more closely scrutinized for at least the next two fiscal years.
These comments, combined with our recent Titan Medical interview detailing a new player in the robotic surgery area, offer a great deal of encouragement. It seems that regardless of the economy’s nature, all of these suppliers are dedicated to a path towards continued product innovation.
My takeaway is that these companies, who provide electronic components, a wide range of applicable materials, and engineering services for the development of new medical devices, are still continuing to push the envelope in advancing new surgical technologies. Hopefully this same resolve can be found on the end-user side of the OR in continuing to explore the adaptation of new MIS techniques, related instrumentation and telemedicine capabilities.
What Miracle?
Granted, the celebratory champagne has finally stopped flowing as Republicans danced in the streets of Boston after Scott Brown was elected a couple weeks ago. But while the media looks to either inflate or deflate, depending on your choice of outlet, the results of this election, those most interested in health care reform know Brown’s election will guarantee at least one inaction item: any progress at improving the current health care system will rocket to a halt.
Many feel that an inability to get compromise in the Senate will lead to a year-long entanglement that will result in yielding what our nation’s capital is perhaps best known for – doing nothing. It’s a shame that more of our elected officials can’t yield the sentiments of President Obama’s closing pleas from the State of the Union address where he asked for true teamwork between Republicans and Democrats alike to help quell the pessimistic tide streaming throughout public sentiment. And FYI – this is coming from a card-carrying conservative.
Have a great weekend. I’m pulling for the Saints, but I’d love to know your thoughts on the game – send them to me at jeff.reinke@advantagemedia.com. We’ll even mention the most accurate prediction in Monday’s version of First Cuts.
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