Connecticut Children’s seeks OHS approval for intraoperative CT; OHS asks for pricing and cost‑savings evidence

Hartford — Connecticut Children’s Medical Center asked the Office of Health Strategy on June 25 for permission to acquire an intraoperative CT scanner it says will improve safety and accuracy in pediatric spine, hip and pelvic‑fracture surgeries. The application estimates the project cost at $1,619,127.25 and proposes a five‑year bundled arrangement that applies a share of Stryker implant and disposable purchases toward the equipment’s acquisition.

Hearing officer Daniel Chuka opened the remote public hearing and said he would consider administrative exhibits and health‑system data in deciding whether the purchase meets statutory certificate‑of‑need criteria. Benjamin Jensen, counsel for Connecticut Children’s, told OHS that three witnesses would testify about clinical benefits, vendor selection and the contract structure.

Dr. Jonathan Martin, division chief of neurosurgery, and Dr. Mark Lee, division head of orthopedics, described the device as an intraoperative CT that “allows us to make that entire experience safer” and pointed to pediatric‑specific radiation protocols they said reduce dose for children. Dr. Lee told the panel the system the hospital selected is the Arrow/Aero CT sold exclusively…