Hospitals are becoming increasingly high-tech, and 3D printing is at the forefront of this advancement. From faster surgeries to attracting top talent, healthcare systems are establishing in-house 3D printing labs to transform patient care.
Even without guaranteed insurance reimbursement, hospitals like UCSF and Cardinal Glennon Children’s are diving in, using grants and donor support to cover startup costs. Why? Because the payoff is huge.
One case at UCSF involved a baby with a massive chest tumor. Most hospitals turned the mother away, but with a 3D model of the baby’s anatomy, UCSF planned the surgery and saved the child’s life.
Other examples of use include:
– Surgeons use skull models to prep for facial reconstruction.
-Cardiologists print heart replicas to test catheter fits.
-Orthopedists create custom implants tailored to the patient’s exact bone structure.
“Surgeries are faster, safer, and more precise,” said Dr. Kevin Chen of Cardinal Glennon. “That means less time under anesthesia and potentially less blood loss.”
And there are real savings too. A study found 3D printing cuts OR time by about 30 minutes, saving $2,900 per case.
Even without full reimbursement, hospitals are sticking with it. Why?
– It improves outcomes
-Attracts world-class surgeons
– Makes complex cases more manageable
Companies like Materialise and Formlabs are making the tech more accessible, while hospitals like the Hospital for Special Surgery are even 3D-printing custom implants through FDA compassionate use.
The use of 3D printing demonstrates another cutting edge technology that will reshape the future of medical care.
