Biopsy forceps: disposable or reusable? 2001

L F Muscarella
Custom Ultrasonics, Inc., 144 Railroad Drive, Ivyland, PA 18974, USA. editor@myendosite.com

Current debate surrounds the cost-effectiveness of disposable and reusable biopsy forceps. Although a complex and arduous task, performing a cost analysis may be necessary to determine which forcep type is more cost-effective. Costs associated with disposable biopsy forceps include their initial cost as well as storage and disposal costs. In addition to initial cost, costs associated with reusable biopsy forceps include reprocessing, maintenance, and repair costs. Estimating the number of times forceps are likely to be reused is also essential to evaluating the cost-effectiveness of reusable biopsy forceps. In general, once a reusable biopsy forcep performs a threshold number of procedures, it becomes more cost-effective than a disposable forcep. While reusable biopsy forceps may be more suitable and cost-effective for larger gastrointestinal endoscopy centers that perform many procedures per day, the convenience of disposable biopsy forceps may make them the more appropriate choice for centers that are smaller and perform only a few procedures each day. Due to significant decreases in the initial cost of disposable biopsy forceps, the cost-effectiveness of reusable biopsy forceps is waning. This article reviews the various issues associated with disposable versus reusable biopsy forceps and provides readers with guidelines for evaluating the appropriateness of both forcep designs in their unique practice setting.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D003362 Cost-Benefit Analysis A method of comparing the cost of a program with its expected benefits in dollars (or other currency). The benefit-to-cost ratio is a measure of total return expected per unit of money spent. This analysis generally excludes consideration of factors that are not measured ultimately in economic terms. In contrast a cost effectiveness in general compares cost with qualitative outcomes. Cost and Benefit,Cost-Benefit Data,Benefits and Costs,Cost Benefit,Cost Benefit Analysis,Cost-Utility Analysis,Costs and Benefits,Economic Evaluation,Marginal Analysis,Analyses, Cost Benefit,Analysis, Cost Benefit,Analysis, Cost-Benefit,Analysis, Cost-Utility,Analysis, Marginal,Benefit and Cost,Cost Benefit Analyses,Cost Benefit Data,Cost Utility Analysis,Cost-Benefit Analyses,Cost-Utility Analyses,Data, Cost-Benefit,Economic Evaluations,Evaluation, Economic,Marginal Analyses
D004209 Disposable Equipment Apparatus, devices, or supplies intended for one-time or temporary use. Equipment, Disposable
D004724 Endoscopy Procedures of applying ENDOSCOPES for disease diagnosis and treatment. Endoscopy involves passing an optical instrument through a small incision in the skin i.e., percutaneous; or through a natural orifice and along natural body pathways such as the digestive tract; and/or through an incision in the wall of a tubular structure or organ, i.e. transluminal, to examine or perform surgery on the interior parts of the body. Endoscopic Surgical Procedures,Surgical Procedures, Endoscopic,Endoscopic Surgical Procedure,Endoscopy, Surgical,Surgical Endoscopy,Surgical Procedure, Endoscopic,Procedure, Endoscopic Surgical,Procedures, Endoscopic Surgical
D004867 Equipment Design Methods and patterns of fabricating machines and related hardware. Design, Equipment,Device Design,Medical Device Design,Design, Medical Device,Designs, Medical Device,Device Design, Medical,Device Designs, Medical,Medical Device Designs,Design, Device,Designs, Device,Designs, Equipment,Device Designs,Equipment Designs
D004868 Equipment Failure Failure of equipment to perform to standard. The failure may be due to defects or improper use. Defects, Equipment,Device Failure,Failure, Equipment,Malfunction, Equipment,Medical Device Failure,Misuse, Equipment,Device Failure, Medical,Device Failures, Medical,Failure, Medical Device,Failures, Medical Device,Defect, Equipment,Device Failures,Equipment Defect,Equipment Defects,Equipment Failures,Equipment Malfunction,Equipment Malfunctions,Equipment Misuse,Equipment Misuses,Failure, Device,Failures, Device,Failures, Equipment,Malfunctions, Equipment,Misuses, Equipment
D004869 Equipment Safety Freedom of equipment from actual or potential hazards. Device Safety,Hazards, Equipment,Medical Device Safety,Safety, Equipment,Device Safety, Medical,Safety, Medical Device,Equipment Hazard,Equipment Hazards,Hazard, Equipment,Safety, Device
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001706 Biopsy Removal and pathologic examination of specimens from the living body. Biopsies
D013242 Sterilization The destroying of all forms of life, especially microorganisms, by heat, chemical, or other means.
D013525 Surgical Instruments Hand-held tools or implements used by health professionals for the performance of surgical tasks. Clamps, Surgical,Clips, Surgical,Clips, Tantalum,Forceps,Hooks, Surgical,Plugs, Surgical,Scissors, Surgical,Speculum,Surgical Clamps,Surgical Clips,Surgical Hooks,Surgical Plugs,Surgical Scissors,Surgical Valves,Trocar,Valves, Surgical,Clamp, Surgical,Clip, Surgical,Clips,Hook, Surgical,Instrument, Surgical,Plug, Surgical,Surgical Clamp,Surgical Clip,Surgical Hook,Surgical Plug,Surgical Valve,Valve, Surgical,Clip,Clip, Tantalum,Forcep,Instruments, Surgical,Speculums,Surgical Instrument,Tantalum Clip,Tantalum Clips,Trocars

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