[A comparative cost analysis of single-use versus reusable fiberoptic bronchoscopes: Is single-use fiberscope worth it?].

OBJECTIVE: To present a minimization-cost analysis to compare reusable and single-use fiberscopes in a French health institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The amortization cost assessment has been achieved over a period of five years, and took into account the acquisition and maintenance costs, as well as the costs related to disinfection of reusable fiberscopes. The cost of single-use fiberscopes was calculated according to its acquisition and elimination costs. Finally, we compared the costs of single-use vs. reusable use during nights, weekends and days off to estimate the additional cost of the referencing of single-use fiberscopes for theses specific periods.

RESULTS: The total cost of reusable fiberscopes was 62,511 € including VAT over 5 years whereas the cost of single-use fiberscope was 79,200 € including VAT over 5 years. The total cost of single-use fiberscopes if utilized during nights, weekends and days off was estimated to 19,800 € including VAT over 5 years, with an estimated activity at 15 intubations per year. Conversely, the cost of the utilization of reusable fiberscopes during nights, weekends and days off was estimate to 13,075 € including VAT over 5 years.

CONCLUSION: This study shows that the utilization costs of single use and reusable fiberscopes are very close. But because of the benefits of single-use fiberscopes and according to current recommendations, we consider to acquire single-use fiberscope especially for emergencies such as difficult tracheal intubation and for restrictive periods (nights, weekends and day off).