Message from AHVAP Executive Director

The Importance of Preventing Bias in Product Selection in Healthcare

Dear AHVAP Members and Partners,

Recently, at the AHVAP 2024 Annual Conference and Industry Partner Expo, we hosted a spirited presentation from our colleague at AORN, Dr. Lisa Spruce. During this presentation, Dr. Spruce presented independent research from one researcher that demonstrated the potential for product bias with nursing professionals. The presentation also reviewed the full Position Statement of AORN in the role of Industry Partners working in the perioperative setting and how they can drive the highest levels of safety and value.

In healthcare, every decision made has a direct impact on patient outcomes, staff efficiency, and financial sustainability. Among the most critical decisions is the selection of medical products and technologies. From surgical tools and diagnostic devices to medications and personal protective equipment, the products used in healthcare facilities play a significant role in the quality of care delivered. However, one of the often-overlooked threats to effective product selection is bias — whether intentional or unconscious. Preventing bias in the product selection process is essential to ensure that patient safety, clinical effectiveness, and financial responsibility remain at the forefront of every decision.

Why Bias Occurs in Product Selection

Bias in product selection can occur for various reasons, including personal preferences, familiarity with certain brands, relationships with sales representatives, or even the influence of marketing campaigns. Physicians, nurses, and value analysis professionals may favor products they have used before or those that are highly recommended by colleagues. While familiarity can be valuable, it can also lead to the exclusion of new or alternative products that may offer better outcomes or cost savings.

Additionally, strong relationships with Industry Partners or suppliers may inadvertently influence decision-making. While building relationships with Industry Partners is important for negotiating favorable terms and ensuring reliable service, these relationships should not cloud objective clinical decision-making. Product selection should be based on data, evidence, and patient outcomes, not personal preferences or professional relationships.

The Consequences of Biased Decision-Making

When bias influences product selection, the consequences can be far-reaching. Products chosen based on personal preference rather than clinical data may result in suboptimal patient outcomes, increased costs, and even safety risks. For instance, selecting a medical device based on brand loyalty rather than evidence of efficacy may compromise the quality of care patients receive. Similarly, bias-driven decisions can lead to missed opportunities for cost savings, as alternative products that offer better value may be overlooked.

Furthermore, biased decision-making can have negative effects on the healthcare organization as a whole. It can create inconsistency in care delivery, as different departments or facilities within the same system may use different products based on individual preferences rather than standardized, evidence-based choices. This inconsistency can complicate staff training, inventory management, and overall care quality.

Strategies to Prevent Bias in Product Selection

To prevent bias and ensure that healthcare product selection is objective and evidence-based, healthcare organizations can implement several key strategies:

1. Implementing a Structured Value Analysis Process: Establishing a formal value analysis process ensures that product selection is guided by objective criteria, including clinical effectiveness, patient safety, cost-efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Value analysis teams should be multidisciplinary, bringing together clinical, financial, and supply chain expertise to evaluate products based on data and outcomes rather than personal preferences.
2. Relying on Evidence-Based Decision-Making: Product selection should be based on clinical evidence, peer-reviewed studies, and real-world data. Value analysis teams must critically assess the available evidence for each product, comparing outcomes and cost-effectiveness across different options. Decisions should prioritize patient outcomes, safety, and the overall value to the organization.
3. Standardizing Product Selection Across the Organization: Creating standardized protocols for product selection and usage across all departments helps eliminate variation caused by individual preferences. Standardization ensures consistency in care delivery, improves inventory management, and simplifies staff training on the proper use of selected products.
4. Encouraging Transparency and Accountability: Ensuring transparency in the decision-making process helps to prevent bias. Value analysis teams should document their product selection criteria and ensure that all stakeholders are held accountable to these standards. Regular reviews of decisions and outcomes can help identify and address any bias that may have influenced previous choices.
5. Promoting Education, Competency, and Training: Educating staff on the importance of objective, evidence-based product selection is crucial to preventing bias. Training programs should emphasize the need for impartial decision-making and equip staff with the tools to evaluate products based on clinical data, safety standards, and cost-effectiveness. The end goal, however, is staff should be competent in the use of all medical products.

Preventing bias in product selection is critical for maintaining high standards of patient care, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring financial sustainability in healthcare organizations. By adopting structured, evidence-based approaches to product evaluation and promoting transparency and accountability, healthcare leaders can make more informed decisions that lead to better outcomes for patients and the organization as a whole. In a healthcare environment increasingly focused on value and quality, eliminating bias in product selection is a necessary step toward delivering consistent, effective, and equitable care. AHVAP has published multiple position statements that can effectively guide the highest levels of ethical relationships in the healthcare value analysis process. These position statements are available here.

Regards,

J. Hudson Garrett Jr., Ph.D., MSN, MPH, MBA, FNP-BC, IP-BC, PLNC, VA-BC, BC-MSLcert™, MSL-BC, LTC-CIP, CIC, CPPS, CAE, CPHQ, CVAHP™, ICE-CCP, CPXP, CMRP, CDIPC, FAOM, FACDONA, FAAPM, FAPIC, FNAP, FACHE, FSHEA, FIDSA, FAHVAP
Executive Director and Executive Vice President
Association of Healthcare Value Analysis Professionals (AVHAP)
Chief Credentialing Officer
AHVAP Certification Center
Certified Association Executive