Duodenoscope

Analyzing Value

Duodenoscope Calculator Breaks Down ERCP Procedural Costs

This easy-to-use tool allows institutions to compare per procedural costs using their reusable duodenoscopes with the Ambu aScope Duodeno.

It is easy to assume that disposable duodenoscopes are more expensive than traditional reusable models used for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

But, when considering the different cost drivers for reusable endoscopy, including reprocessing and repairs, single-use can be cost-effective or cost-neutral.

That is why Single-Use Endoscopy created the Duodenoscope Cost Calculator. This easy-to-use tool allows institutions to compare per procedural costs using their reusable duodenoscopes with the Ambu® aScope Duodeno.  

“We often find that providers don’t know what they currently spend on reusable endoscopy, because there are so many costs spread across different budgets,” said Russ Montgomery, director of health economics and market access at Ambu Inc.

Montgomery and a team of health economists take information entered in the calculator to provide a complete picture of facility-specific cost per ERCP procedure. Results are generated  in three to five business days.

“For this tool, we use published cost studies to provide a comprehensive and transparent analysis comparing the costs of reusables vs. single-use,” Montgomery said. 

Reprocessing, maintenance, and repairs are among the cost drivers for reusable duodenoscopes. These expenses are often covered by different departments within an institution or through contracts with multiple outside vendors.

The calculations also take into account the potential — and significant — financial impacts associated with cross-contamination if reusable endoscopes are not disinfected properly. Potential procedural delays if endoscopes are not available also come with a cost. 

Single-use duodenoscopes do not require additional labor, disinfection, or repairs.

“By comparing the costs, providers can make an informed decision on which technology makes the most sense for them financially,” Montgomery said.



Click to use the new Duodenscope Calculator!

More Health Economics Articles
Calculating Repair Rates and Costs for Reusable Flexible Ureteroscopes
Analyzing Value
The authors of a recent review found that routine repair is costly and may cause delays in service while reusable devices are unavailable. Specialized equipment and staff are needed for sterilization — and inadequate cleaning increases infection risk.
Physician Salaries Trend Back Up After Pandemic Hit
Public Health
Salary growth and increasing demand for doctors are evident in the latest Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2022, as the healthcare sector pulls away from the grip of the global pandemic.
More From Single-Use Endoscopy
Is Long-Term BTX Exposure Linked to Bladder Cancer?

Public Health

Researchers say a new study is the first to establish a higher risk of bladder cancer connected to cumulative exposure to so-called occupational solvents.

Education in the realm of infection prevention is needed more than ever, given healthcare staffing shortages.

Prevention Strategies

Staffing and supply shortages along with rising hospital-acquired infections compound the need for new infection prevention solutions, with education at the forefront.

FDA Issues Recall on Disposable Duodenoscope Endcaps

Public Health

After issuing a series of warning letters to Olympus, the FDA has issued a recall on a certain model of single-use distal covers for duodenoscopes.