Lungen- und Atemwegsmedizin

A Novel Intervention to Reduce Bronchoscopy Lab Costs

Abstract

Kevin P. Kane, Jennifer W. Toth, Michael F. Reed and Christopher R. Gilbert

New endoscopic technology has advanced the field of bronchoscopy. With these innovations comes the increased price of maintenance and repair, and the current literature offers few interventions for reducing such costs. We identified increased maintenance costs despite standard physician and technician endoscopic training, which warranted further intervention. An on-site visit by an industry provided endoscopy support specialist team provided direct observation and feedback regarding daily operating procedures as well as bronchoscope handling, processing, and storage. Our intervention resulted in subsequent reduction of maintenance costs by 67%. The use of endoscopy support specialists may help identify and implement daily practices that can reduce bronchoscopy maintenance and repair costs when endoscopy units are faced with unexpectedly high maintenance expenditures.