In surgical instrument maintenance, what does the term "capitated agreement" refer to?

• A. A per-instrument maintenance fee
• B. A flat-rate fee for servicing
• C. A payment plan for new instruments
• D. A subscription for instrument usage

Answer: (B)

A capitated agreement in the context of surgical instrument maintenance refers to a flat-rate fee for servicing. This type of financial arrangement allows facilities to manage their budgeting effectively by providing predictable costs associated with instrument maintenance. With a flat-rate fee, surgical facilities pay a set amount for the maintenance of their instruments regardless of the number of instruments or the frequency of service required. This can make planning and managing resources more efficient, as facilities aren't surprised by fluctuating costs depending on usage or additional services needed.

In contrast, other options such as per-instrument maintenance fees would lead to variable costs depending on the specific instruments being serviced, while payment plans for new instruments and subscriptions for instrument usage do not align with the concept of maintenance agreements.