OBJECTIVES: In other endoscopy specialties, single-use (SU) scopes have shown to save significant time per procedure by eliminating reprocessing and repairs, enabling physicians to see more patients. For hospital-based speech rehabilitation departments, flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) exams can be ordered on short notice, meaning the equipment needs to be mobile and readily accesible. Availability concerns with reusable (RU) rhinolaryngoscopes may impede the timing and overall quality of patient care. This study aimed to evaluate procedural volume implications pre- and post-adoption of SU rhinolaryngoscopes in a hybrid model for FEES.

METHODS: In December of 2022, a large community-based hospital adopted a hybrid use of the SU Ambu aScope 4 RhinoLaryngo and Olympus RU rhinolaryngoscopes. Retrospective analysis of FEES volumes were calculated as well as RU repairs.

RESULTS: 1,709 FEES exams were completed in 2022 with RU rhinolaryngoscopes, amounting to 142.4 exams per month. During this timeframe, the RU scopes experienced frequent repairs with at least 1 RU scope down for 93 days in 2023. Additionally, an SLP was on maternity leave for three months, reducing the number of available endoscopists. Despite the number of RU scope repairs and reduced employee support, the hospital maintained the same FEES caseload with the hybrid SU system compared to the previous year, with 1,738 FEES exams completed in 2023, amounting to 144.8 exams per month.

CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating SU rhinolaryngoscopes alleviated scope availability and workflow issues, as the same volume of FEES exams were performed with the SU hybrid system despite RU scope repairs and staff leave. Additionally, SU scopes mitigated issues related to sterile processing staff turnover and labor shortages, which tends to delay RU rhinolaryngoscope turnaround. Lastly, the introduction of SU scopes enabled expansion of FEES competency training courses, enabling more SLPs to perform FEES when necessary.