Spanish Hospital Cuts Therapy Equipment Costs by 97.6% With 3D Printing

A Spanish hospital is proving that 3D printing isn't just for manufacturers and hobbyists — it's transforming healthcare too. La Candelaria University Hospital in Tenerife is saving 97.6% on custom therapy equipment by 3D printing it in-house.

The Numbers

The hospital's Occupational Therapy department now produces custom hand rehabilitation tools for just €56 per batch, down from €2,316 when ordering the same parts through traditional medical suppliers. That's a per-item saving of roughly €2,260 — and the program has already produced around 12 different models and nearly 30 individual pieces since launching.

"With the 3D printer, we have the opportunity to adjust each piece to the patient's specific requirements and improve upon the original moulds," said Teresa Fernández, an occupational therapist at the hospital.

Why It Matters

The therapy equipment is used for patients recovering from tendon ruptures, metacarpal fractures, and limited mobility conditions. Off-the-shelf solutions can't match the customisation these 3D printed parts offer.

One example is the Canadian board — a perforated board with interchangeable rods used to treat hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow injuries. The standard version is patented, so the hospital can't reproduce it directly. Instead, Fernández's team designs their own versions. "The original board is quite large, and some patients only need to work on a specific part of the hand, such as a finger. Therefore, a smaller, more manageable replica is more convenient."

Capacity Gains

The cost savings are impressive, but the capacity gains have been just as striking. Fernández previously saw seven to nine patients a day, with one patient every 30 minutes. "I had one patient every half hour, but now I can attend to up to three and see about 12 to 15 people each day."

La Candelaria is reportedly the only facility in the Canary Islands producing custom therapy equipment this way.

Beyond Therapy

The program has expanded beyond therapy tools. Technicians are also printing maintenance components for aging hospital equipment, provided those parts don't come into direct contact with patients and aren't safety-critical. Discontinued 40mm valves for hospital shower trays are one example — printing them avoids expensive renovation works.

Old hospital beds have also been kept in service through 3D-printed replacement parts.

The hospital recently acquired a second 3D printer, and staff haven't ruled out extending the program to other departments.