New Study Focuses on Cost Savings and Sustainability in Cystoscopy

Value-Based Care

New Study Focuses on Cost Savings and Sustainability in Cystoscopy

"Each single-use cystoscope procedure saved 15 gallons of water, reduced waste by 6 pounds, and cut CO2 emissions by 33 pounds. These savings translate to 18,798 gallons of water, 6,536 pounds of waste, and a reduction of 39,220 pounds in CO2 emissions on an annual basis".

New research out of Italy shows that single-use cystoscopes can potentially improve current flexible endoscopy practices: They’re not just cost-effective, they’re also eco-friendly.

A recent study in Urology (a journal published by Elsevier ) compared the costs of single-use and reusable cystoscopes and found single-use saved $141,601.29 per year compared with their reusable counterparts. The study looked at various expenses, including initial purchase, cleaning, repair, usage, and environmental impact for both types of cystoscopes.

In 2022, researchers studied the costs of 1,186 procedures at one healthcare facility using reusable cystoscopes. From August 2023, they did the same for single-use procedures. They found that each procedure with a reusable cystoscope cost $353.39, while the cost per procedure with a single-use device was $234.05. Single-use cystoscopes saved $119.34 per procedure.

We have converted Euros to 2024 U.S. dollars for this post.

Single-use cystoscopes not only save money but also contribute to a greener planet, the researchers added. They use less water, produce less waste, and emit less CO2.

Each single-use cystoscope procedure saved 15 gallons of water, reduced waste by 6 pounds, and cut CO2 emissions by 33 pounds, according to the study’s authors. These savings translate to 18,798 gallons of water, 6,536 pounds of waste, and a reduction of 39,220 pounds in CO2 emissions on an annual basis.

It’s important, however, to consider factors such as regional differences for a complete evaluation.

 

More Urology Articles
Podcast: Why Bladder Cancer Patients Should Get Vaccinated
Preventing Infection
“In terms of the vaccination, there’s really no evidence to suggest that that will interfere with their bladder cancer treatment,” Dr. Seth P. Lerner said on the Bladder Cancer Matters podcast.
How Bladder Cancer Patients Should Navigate the BCG Shortage
Public Health
“The most important thing is to have a discussion with your urologist as a first step to see how important is it that you get BCG,” Robert Svatek, MD, said on the Bladder Cancer Matters podcast.
More From Single-Use Endoscopy
How Much Does It Really Cost to Own Endoscopes?

Value-Based Care

Ownership costs are hidden in capital accounts, expensive service contracts and repair agreements that are capitated, a medical device industry executive writes.

How to Stop the Cycle of ‘Reactive Repairs’ on Endoscopes

Prevention Challenges

They are costly, add stress for staff and put patients at risk.

Study Evaluates Single-Use Gastroscope Feasibility in Evaluating, Treating Upper GI Bleeding

Emerging Technologies

Single-use duodenoscopes are already common for ERCP, but what about gastroscopes and EGD?