title: Technology assessment and cost management.
abstract: Endoscopic, less-invasive surgery has reshaped health care. The skill of correctly assessing purchases and leases is critical to a surgical service's success. Video technology changes rapidly, and systems become obsolete in months, not years. Each update presents new learning curves, thus additional educational costs. Choosing reusable instrumentation may include hidden costs not fully appreciated, whereas disposables may create waste management and environmental problems. Assessing and managing the costs related to less-invasive surgery require in-depth analyses of an institution's specific needs and of available and future technology.
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Pfister
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hicks
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000191:economics; D005377:Financial Management, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D011682:Purchasing, Hospital; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical