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A custom procedure tray (also known as a custom procedure pack) is a pre-packaged set of all disposable medical items required for a major or minor surgical intervention. It is presented in a single, sterile box, wrap, or mould. Custom trays make instrument management more efficient during a procedure. Trays reduce picking errors and wastage, and the need for additional clinical staff to manage inventory and limit excess inventory and the number of vendors required for supplies. Pre-packaged trays also ensure that instruments have been sterilized and leave no room for hospital-acquired infections related to errors in sterilization procedures.

The next 4 to 5 years will witness companies evolving from product suppliers to supply chain/workflow management services. Predictive analytics will play a key role in management of orders and estimating supply needs and manufacturers will be enablers helping healthcare facilities adopt those tools. Continuous cost pressure on healthcare systems will compel manufacturers to present cost and efficiency use cases. While the cost pressure will force prices to remain flat through the forecast, addition of higher-value components in the tray will allow manufacturers to charge a premium.

As the COVID-19 pandemic affects surgical volumes, hospitals, especially high-volume surgery centers performing major perioperative procedures — primarily cardiovascular, obstetrics, and neurosurgery — will demonstrate higher demand for custom packs. Among minor procedures, suturing and hemodialysis are expected to show the highest adoption of custom trays because of an increase in procedure volume in ambulatory centers and a push for more efficient workflows. As more surgical procedures become minimally invasive or are conducted via robotic platforms, ongoing communication between providers and manufacturers will be imperative to ensure that tray components evolve to meet those needs.