OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety, economic profitability, and cost-effectiveness of the controlled ambient surgical cabin ArcSterile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study comparing the profitability of surgical procedures using the ArcSterile* with those using the operating room throughout a 12-month period by analysing the following variables: total number of treated patients, delay in surgical assistance delay and the cost per procedure. RESULTS: Throughout a 12-month period, a total number of 2011 surgical procedures were performed with the ArcSterile, and 1736 surgical procedures were performed in the conventional operating room. Minor ocular surgeries including chalazia, pterigium, intravitreal injections and others were considered, whereas cataract and vitrectomy surgeries were disregarded. The use of the ArcSterile* was associated with an increase of 14% in the number of surgeries. The cost per hour of the use of the ArcSterile* was 30.75 euro, whereas it was 142.78 euro for the coriventional operating room. CONCLUSIONS: The ArcSterile* may allow to treat more patients and to treat them earlier compared with the conventional operating room, optimizing the use of the latest for patients who need a more complex surgery. We estimated an economic impact of 134 121.39 euro savings during the 12-month period of analysis. The use of the ArcSterile* surgical cabin for outpatient ocularsurgery may represent an effective and efficient alternative to the operating room with many clinical and economic benefits.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety, economic profitability, and cost-effectiveness of the controlled ambient surgical cabin ArcSterile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study comparing the profitability of surgical procedures using the ArcSterile* with those using the operating room throughout a 12-month period by analysing the following variables: total number of treated patients, delay in surgical assistance delay and the cost per procedure. RESULTS: Throughout a 12-month period, a total number of 2011 surgical procedures were performed with the ArcSterile, and 1736 surgical procedures were performed in the conventional operating room. Minor ocular surgeries including chalazia, pterigium, intravitreal injections and others were considered, whereas cataract and vitrectomy surgeries were disregarded. The use of the ArcSterile* was associated with an increase of 14% in the number of surgeries. The cost per hour of the use of the ArcSterile* was 30.75 euro, whereas it was 142.78 euro for the coriventional operating room. CONCLUSIONS: The ArcSterile* may allow to treat more patients and to treat them earlier compared with the conventional operating room, optimizing the use of the latest for patients who need a more complex surgery. We estimated an economic impact of 134 121.39 euro savings during the 12-month period of analysis. The use of the ArcSterile* surgical cabin for outpatient ocularsurgery may represent an effective and efficient alternative to the operating room with many clinical and economic benefits.