Costs associated with a fibrescope inventory: what role for the disposable scope?

Results In 2009 on our campus we had 11 fibrescopes, of which four were paediatric. They were from a variety of manufacturers. It proved very difficult to obtain details of costs, and records were incomplete. Repair contracts for some of the devices totalled more than £4000. Detailed breakdown of repairs was only available for the fibrescopes from Karl‐Storz. Most problems related to the angulating tip, with leaks, tears and damaged vertebrae. There were also examples of severe damage to the shaft and eyepiece/camera. In five out of seven episodes the damage was considered too extensive to repair and scopes were replaced under the customer arrangement, but not before costs of ~£12,000 were incurred. Four new scopes were ordered in that year at a cost of £32000. For the last four years we have, on average ordered two new devices to replace stock and increase supply as demand has grown and following changes to sterilization requirements. Our estimate therefore was around £32,000 In 2008‐9 we recorded performance of 141 fibreoptic intubations. If all of these had been performed using disposable instruments at £200 each the cost would have been £28,000