Establishing 3D Printing at the Point of Care: Basic Principles and Tools for Success

TLDR

Three‑dimensional printing is increasingly adopted in healthcare, offering high‑quality, sustainable patient care, yet its point‑of‑care implementation faces unforeseen challenges. The authors present a practical guide for radiology departments to build and expand point‑of‑care 3D printing infrastructure. They outline a step‑by‑step process that includes developing a business case, defining facility and staffing needs, designing a digital workflow, integrating electronic health records, and addressing applications, benefits, quality, and regulatory considerations. An invited commentary by Ballard is available online, ©RSNA, 2022.

Abstract

As the medical applications of three-dimensional (3D) printing increase, so does the number of health care organizations in which adoption or expansion of 3D printing facilities is under consideration. With recent advancements in 3D printing technology, medical practitioners have embraced this powerful tool to help them to deliver high-quality patient care, with a focus on sustainability. The use of 3D printing in the hospital or clinic at the point of care (POC) has profound potential, but its adoption is not without unanticipated challenges and considerations. The authors provide the basic principles and considerations for building the infrastructure to support 3D printing inside the hospital. This process includes building a business case; determining the requirements for facilities, space, and staff; designing a digital workflow; and considering how electronic health records may have a role in the future. The authors also discuss the supported applications and benefits of medical 3D printing and briefly highlight quality and regulatory considerations. The information presented is meant to be a practical guide to assist radiology departments in exploring the possibilities of POC 3D printing and expanding it from a niche application to a fixture of clinical care. An invited commentary by Ballard is available online.©RSNA, 2022.