Cost and efficiency of myringotomy procedures in minor procedure rooms compared to operating rooms

Objectives

Minor pediatric surgeries performed in the minor procedure room (MPR) may be more time efficient and less costly compared to those performed in the operating room (OR).

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

This was a retrospective study on cost and efficiency differences of bilateral myringotomy with tube insertions performed in the MPR versus the OR. Charts were reviewed from June 2015 to May 2017. Cost data was based on supply cost and case costing of medical personnel including nurses, aides, and anesthesia assistants.

Results

Two hundred eighteen patients were included in the study. The median age was 2.7 years (range: 0.8–16.7), and there were no differences in gender between locations. One hundred twenty‐three patients had surgery in the MPR (56.4%), and 95 had surgery in the OR (43.6%). The median length of time in the procedure room was 11 minutes shorter for patients who underwent surgery in the MPR (12.0 minutes, range: 3.0–33.0) compared to patients in the OR (23.0 minutes, range: 11.0–52.0; P < .0001). Median hospital stay (2.0 hours vs. 4.3 hours; P < 0.0001) and median patient turnover time (6.0 minutes vs. 14.0 minutes; P < .0001) was shorter in the MPR compared to OR. The total overall cost of a myringotomy with tube insertion, including labor and supply cost, was $189.41 in the MPR compared to $468.56 in the OR, a difference of $279.15 per case.

Conclusion

Bilateral myringotomy with tube insertions are more time and cost‐efficient when performed in the MPR. This study supports the need for increased availability of MPR time for appropriate surgeries.

Level of Evidence

3. Laryngoscope, 2019

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