ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To analyze the resource utilization of performing drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) procedures in an endoscopy suite (ES) setting as compared with the operating room (OR). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of DISE procedures performed by a single attending surgeon from 2016 to 2018. SETTING: Tertiary hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing sleep endoscopy without concurrent surgical procedures were included. No exclusion criteria were incorporated. Analysis assessed for differences in procedure-related expenditures, patient characteristics, anesthesia and surgeon time, and access to care. RESULTS: A total of 87 sleep endoscopies were included: 65 (74.7%) performed in the ES and 22 (25.3%) in the OR. Patient groups were similar in age and apnea-hypopnea index severity (P > .05). Patient body mass index was significantly higher for the ES group (P = .03). Total facility time, postoperative recovery time, anesthesia care time, and time in the surgical room were significantly decreased in the ES setting (P < .01). Surgical time was similar between the groups (P > .05). For ES procedures, total cost was reduced by 74% (P < .01). DISE in the ES resulted in a mean $5080 less in health system charges versus the OR group (P < .01). There were no treatment-related complications in either setting. CONCLUSION: The resource utilization profile of performing DISE can be significantly improved by transferring these procedures from the OR to the ES setting.
