As the demand for healthcare services grows, the need for cost-saving alternatives becomes increasingly important. In a recent study published by Deep Breathe, team members evaluated the costs of lung ultrasound (LUS) and chest radiography (CXR) for pneumothorax detection. The article highlights the financial benefits of using LUS as the primary pneumothorax detection tool.

Read the study in full: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12039981/

Improving Accuracy & Decreasing Costs

While chest radiography remains the most commonly used method to rule out pneumothorax, lung ultrasound offers a more cost-effective and sensitive alternative. Currently, 22,273 chest radiographies (CXR) contribute to an expenditure of $1.4 million. As healthcare costs continue to rise, there is a demand to explore more efficient solutions. Lung ultrasound, when paired with AI interpretation, demonstrates a more effective and cost-saving approach to detecting pneumothorax. Reducing factors like training costs and specialist dependence would enable the integration of lung ultrasounds, promoting more effective resource use.

Comparing the Quantitative Results

A cost analysis of CXR and LUS highlights the untapped potential of the lung ultrasound. Portable CXR were found to cost $75.46 per test, while LUS cost $38.38. Substituting CXR with LUS could reduce total expenditures by $559,537.10, averaging a saving of $41.58 per patient. These findings emphasize the economic advantage of adopting LUS as a primary diagnostic tool for pneumothorax.

Conclusion

Performing CXR to rule out pneumothorax (PTX) following invasive intrathoracic procedures is resource and cost intensive. Implementing lung ultrasound (LUS) as a substitute could reduce total costs, improve diagnostic consistency, and lead the industry to a more accessible and efficient future in pneumothorax detection.