title: Cost-effectiveness analysis of flexible optical scopes for tracheal intubation: a descriptive comparative study of reusable and single-use scopes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To calculate the costs per intubation of reusable fiberoptic scopes versus single-use intubation scopes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open-label retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  The one-year intubation records of intubations performed with reusable intubation scopes, the one-year maintenance costs of these scopes, and their three-year repair cost records were analyzed. A total of 166 intubations were performed with reusable fiberoptic scopes in 2009. Calculations to assess the costs per intubation based on the documented records at our institution were made. The total cost of an intubation, the repair-to-intubation ratio, and the repair cost per intubation were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total cost of an intubation at our institution in 2009, using reusable scopes, was $119.75 [US dollars (USD)], which included $20.15 (purchasing), $53.48 (repair), $33.16 (maintenance), and $12.96 (labor). The repair-to-intubation ratio was 1:55. Repair costs were $53.48 per intubation and $2,959.44 per instance of repair.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Ambu aScope, a single-use intubation scope, is a new addition to video laryngoscopy. The price should range within 10% of our intubation cost ($120.00 to $132.00 per single-use intubation scope).
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Harper University Hospital, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D004867:Equipment Design; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D020704:Laryngoscopes / Q000191:economics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies