Comparison of the Costs of Reusable Versus Disposable Equipment for Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release Procedures Using Activity-Based Costing Analysis

Abstract

Guidelines for sterilization of reusable equipment (eg, arthroscopes, surgical equipment) have recently been established. These guidelines are supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and affect costs for sterilization. The current analysis was undertaken to understand if reusable or disposable endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) equipment is a less-expensive option. An activity-based cost analysis was undertaken to determine the costs of reusable versus disposable equipment for ECTR. Costs of disposable equipment were obtained from manufacturers. Costs of processing reusable equipment including labor, time, cost of operating room time, and sterilization supplies and equipment were obtained from the literature and from recent reports identifying these costs. Infection rates and costs of infection were also factored in. Decision analysis software was used to determine the expected costs of each option (disposable vs reusable). A sensitivity analysis was undertaken on those variables that were determined to have the greatest effect on the overall costs of the procedure and sterilization. Costs for each option when totaled were $917 for disposable and $1,019 for reusable equipment, resulting in cost savings of $102 with disposable equipment. Reusable equipment was the least costly option when the following costs/events occurred: cost of a disposable arthroscope, >$452; cost of disposable ECTR, >$647; costs of operating room time, <$28.63/min; set up time, <6.8 minutes for reusable equipment; and cost of disposable ECTR blade used with reusable equipment, <$160. When considering the cost of operating room time, preparation, and processing of reusable equipment for ECTR, the disposable equipment for this procedure is less costly. Economic Analysis II.