But would you expect a representative from the company who made the implant machine?
Well, the truth is, they are often there.
During joint replacement, most surgeons have an industry unit representative in the OR during the surgical procedure.
Caiaimage / Sam Edwards / Getty Images
Many companies will have a representative present in the operating room at the time of surgery.
While this was a practice decades ago, this does not occur any longer.
gear reps are prevented from any direct patient contact.
However, most of these decisions are made prior to the surgery, and many hospitals regulate these choices.
Furthermore, representatives typically receive compensation based at least in part on their sales performance.
The question comes: Why does anyone allow reps in the OR at all?
A Word From Verywell
There are different approaches to managing gadget reps in the OR.
Some hospitals have taken dramatic action to ensure the emphasis is on the patient.
The reality is, most hospitals allow equipment reps to enter the OR without specific disclosure to patients.
So what should you do?
Ask your surgeon which implants they will be using, and why that implant was selected.
Kaiser Health News.Medical machine employees are often in the O.R., raising concerns about influence.
2016;474(10):2094-2099. doi:10.1007/s11999-016-5001-2
American College of Surgeons.Statements on principles.
2016;11(8):e0158510.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0158510
American College of Surgeons.Revised statement on health care industry representatives in the operating room.
2021;23(9):692-696. doi:10.1001/amajethics.2021.692
