Today, many urologists have begun to adopt single-use flexible ureteroscope solutions due to advantages like continuous availability and the potential to reduce costs, such as those linked to reusable scope cleaning, services and repairs.1, 2
However, most hospitals only use single-use ureteroscopes as a backup solution. This complicates matters because with a hybrid reusable/single-use setup, your hospital then faces the cost and burden of maintaining two infrastructures.
Repair costs are particularly high
According to a systematic review and meta-analysis, reusable flexible ureteroscopes need to be repaired once in every 15 procedures on average. With an average repair cost of 6808 USD, this corresponds to 441 USD in repair costs per procedure.3
In addition to repeated usage, other factors like the impact of ureteroscope cleaning also contribute to the breakage rate.
Single-use may be the answer in the long run
Transitioning to a 100% single-use ureteroscope solution over time may be the way to go. However, the solution in question must live up to the urologists’ expectations and meet the needs of the urologists and the hospital. Below are some guidelines of what to look for in a single-use ureteroscope solution for the future.
1. A go-to solution for all your cases
Although single-use flexible ureteroscopes offer efficiency benefits, the level of performance can vary. When choosing an effective single-use solution, it must meet the level of performance in key areas such as image quality, manoeuvrability, torque transmission and stability, and instrument size so you can use it as your go-to solution for all your cases.
Learn about a single-use ureteroscope solution that is designed to meet the level of performance.
2. High-quality imaging that makes it easy to detect stone fragments
The endoscope solution should make it easy to locate and identify stones, stone fragments and provide you with optimal support for visualising urothelial carcinomas with clear, sharp imaging and natural representation of tissue colours. You should feel confident using it for all your cases.
Learn about a single-use ureteroscope solution with clear and sharp imaging.
3. Easy to use with tools
If your single-use solution is not compatible with most common tools you need, it limits the usages which you can employ it for. You should feel confident about your single-use ureteroscope’s bending capabilities and level of deflection when working with stone removal baskets and other endourology instruments, such as laser fibers, guidewires and biopsy forceps.
Learn about a single-use ureteroscope solution that is easy to use with the most common tools.
4. Flexibility to fit your existing OR setup
An effective single-use ureteroscope solution should be designed so that you adapt it to fit your existing OR setup and not the other way around. The light source, process and recorder should be compact and easily connect to your existing visualization tower and external monitors.
Learn about a single-use ureteroscope solution that is built for the endourology experience.
5. One system that is designed to work with your other flexible endoscopes
Having one display and monitoring endoscopy system that is easy to learn and use, and that can ideally be used with all flexible endoscopes (such as cystoscopes) in the OR, can simplify work and shorten the learning curve and increase workflow efficiency.
Find out about a single-use ureteroscope solution that is part of one integrated system.
6. Integration with existing documentation systems
Documenting procedures can be more complex and time-consuming than it needs to be when you have to transfer data from an external storage device to the hospital’s server manually. However, the aBox 2 endoscopy system makes documentation smooth and efficient. You send imaging data directly via DICOM, and it is saved to the patient’s records in the PACS system. It is then easy to retrieve the record from the modality worklist, and you can be confident that the correct data is associated with the relevant patient.
Discover about a single-use ureteroscope solution that eliminates complex documentation.
7. Provider has experience with single-use endoscopy
It is important to verify that the provider has proven market experience in single-use urology, satisfied urology customers and a commitment to drive innovation in single-use endoscopy now and in the future.
8. Provider has the infrastructure to deliver now and in the future
In order to ensure that the provider can meet your hospital’s needs for the long haul, it is important to ensure that they are continuously focused on single-use endoscope technology and have the manufacturing and distribution infrastructure needed to scale up when needed.
Find out why Ambu can deliver what you need to get ready for the future of ureteroscopy.
9. Provider has a long-term sustainability strategy
While single-use offers many efficiency benefits over reusable, there may be some preconceptions about what single-use means with regard to sustainability. That is why it is important that your provider has a proactive strategy for continually tracking and reducing the environmental footprint throughout the product life cycle.
Get an overview of Ambu’s long-term sustainability strategy.
10. Provider has taken actions to reduce environmental footprint
A written strategy is one thing, but does the company act on those intentions? Full transparency and documented actions prove that they mean business when it comes to the environment. Initiatives can include innovative pilot programs, partnerships, certifications and other initiatives that reduce carbon emissions, minimise packaging and progress towards increasing levels of recyclable material in the products.
Learn about a single-use ureteroscope you can use every day for all your cases.
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References
1. Anderson, S., Patterson, K., Skolarikos, A., Somani, B., Bolton, D.M. and Davis, N.F. (2023), Perspectives on technology: to use or to reuse, that is the endoscopic question—a systematic review of single- use endoscopes. BJU Int. https://doi.org/10.1111/bju.16206
2. Juliebø-Jones, P, Ventimiglia, E, Somani, BK, Æsøy, MS, Gjengstø, P, Beisland, C, et al. Single use flexible ureteroscopes: Current status and future directions. BJUI Compass. 2023; 4(6): 613–621. https://doi.org/10.1002/bco2.265
3. Rindorf, D. K., Tailly, T., Kamphuis, G. M., Larsen, S., Somani, B. K., Traxer, O., & Koo, K. (2022). Repair Rate and Associated Costs of Reusable Flexible Ureteroscopes: A Systematic Review and Meta- analysis. European urology open science, 37, 64–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euros.2021.12.013
