USA: Single-use flexible cystoscopy was found to be cost-efficient at a high-volume care centre, reports a 90-day trial data published in the journal Urology.

A global survey suggests, urologists are willing to shift to single-use cystoscopes in an average of nearly half (44.5%) of their cystoscopy procedures. A cystoscope is a long, thin optical instrument used to diagnose, monitor and treat conditions affecting the bladder and urethra in patients. Single-use flexible cystoscope advancements have introduced alternative options to reusable scopes.

In a few studies, disposable cystoscopes have shown comparable quality to reusable cystoscopes and offered a more streamlined process with no hidden costs associated with labour time, reprocessing equipment, and repairs, making the per procedure cost more transparent in a single-use setup. Also, the use of disposable ones is characterized by significantly lower post-operative complications and infection rates. However, there is a paucity of cost-effectiveness and provider satisfaction studies examining the implementation of a hospital-based transition to single-use cystoscopes.

Assmus MMA, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA and colleagues conducted a 90-day trial to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and user satisfaction of a single-use flexible cystoscope at a tertiary care centre.

Researchers encountered 84 cases (78 operatives, 5 inpatients, and 1 emergency department (ED)) over the 90 days, where all flexible, transurethral, and percutaneous, urologic care was provided with a disposable AMBU® aScopeTM. The research team performed a micro-costing analysis examining the payor per case cost of the reusable flexible cystoscope (including servicing & processing) to the disposable units. Provider surveys assessed visual quality, deflection, ease of working channel and overall satisfaction on a 10-point Likert scale.

Key findings of the analysis,

• One disposable flexible cystoscope was successfully used in 93% of cases. Failures in a few cases were due to an inability to access a disposable scope/monitor.

• Per use cost of the reusable flexible cystoscope at our centre was $272.41 versus $185.00 for single use.

• Based on average case volume and conservative failure rate, transitioning to predominately single-use scopes resulted in $39,142.84 annual cost savings.

The authors conclude that the per-use cost of a disposable flexible cystoscope was less when utilized at a high-volume tertiary care centre. Hospital-based transition to single-use cystoscopes is cost-effective and comfortable for the provider.

Assmus MMA, Krambeck AE, Lee MS, Agarwal DK, Mellon M, Rivera ME, Large T. Cost-Effectiveness of 90-Day Single-Use Flexible Cystoscope Trial: Single Center Micro-Costing Analysis and User Satisfaction. Urology. 2022 Jun 27:S0090-4295(22)00520-9. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2022.05.039. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35772484.

Dr. Hiral patel (BDS) has completed BDS from Gujarat University, Baroda. She has worked in private dental steup for 8years and is currently a consulting general dentist in mumbai. She has recently completed her advanced PG diploma in clinical research and pharmacovigilance. She is passionate about writing and loves to read, analyses and write informative medical content for readers. She can be contacted at [email protected]

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