Cost-effectiveness of quality improvement intervention to reduce time between CT-detection and ureteroscopic laser fragmentation in acute symptomatic ureteric stones management

Objective To prospectively assess clinical and cost effectiveness of emergency ureteroscopic laser fragmentation of urinary stones causing symptoms or obstruction .

Patients and methods 100 consecutive patients with an average (median) age 55.6 (57.5) years and average (median) stone size of 8.2 mm (± 7 mm) between October 2018 and December 2021 who underwent emergency ureteroscopy and laser fragmentation formed the study cohort as part of a clinical service quality improvement.

Primary outcome was single procedure stone-free rate and cost-effectiveness.

The secondary outcomes were complications, re-admission and re-intervention.

A decision analysis model was constructed to compare the cost-effectiveness of emergency ureteroscopy with laser fragmentation (EUL) and emergency temporary stenting followed by delayed ureteroscopy with laser fragmentation (DUL) using our results and success rates for modelling.

Results Single procedure stone-free rates (SFR) for EUL and DUL were 85%.

The re-intervention rate, re-admission and complication rates of the study cohort (EUL) were 9%, 18%, and 4%, respectively, compared to 15%, 20%, and 5%, respectively for the control cohort (DUL).

The decision analysis modelling demonstrated that the EUL treatment option was more cost-efficient, averting £2868 (€3260) per patient for the UK health sector.

Total cost of delayed intervention was £7783 (€8847) for DUL in contrast to £4915 (€5580) for EUL.

Conclusions Implementation of quality improvement project based on a reduction in CT detection-to-laser fragmentation time interval in acute ureteric obstruction or symptoms caused by stones had similar clinical effectiveness compared to delayed ureteroscopic management, but more cost-effective.