Endoscopy 2009; 41(7): 603-609
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1214852
Original article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A cost-benefit analysis of endoscopy reporting methods: handwritten, dictated and computerized

M.  J.  M.  Groenen1 , 2 , S.  Ajodhia1 , 3 , J.  Y.  F.  Wynstra4 , W.  Lesterhuis5 , E.  J.  H.  M. van de Weijgert6 , E.  J.  Kuipers2 , R.  J.  T.  Ouwendijk1
  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Ikazia Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • 2Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • 3School of Management, Rotterdam Polytechnic, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • 4Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • 5Department of Gastroenterology, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
  • 6Department of Internal Medicine, Ruwaard van Putten Hospital, Spijkenisse, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

submitted 3 December 2007

accepted after revision 25 February 2009

Publication Date:
08 July 2009 (online)

Background and study aims: Gastrointestinal endoscopy investigations are frequently requested by gastroenterologists, general practitioners and other physicians. In addition to the classic methods of report writing, several electronic endoscopic report systems are currently available. The aim of the study was to evaluate the costs of three different ways of producing reports; by hand, by dictation, or by computer.

Methods: Three methods of report writing were compared, with special attention to costs. The endoscopy process was analyzed, from arrival of the patient to sending the report to the referring doctor, and including production of endoscopic images or video, logging of used endoscopes and their disinfection, and storage costs for endoscopy data.

Results: During the first 5 years, the mean costs per procedure were €4.78 for handwritten, €6.39 for dictated and €8.90 for computerized reports. Due to depreciation, after this initial period, the respective costs declined to €4.37, €5.20 and €5.13, respectively. Despite high initial costs, a cost-benefit analysis already revealed a financial benefit from a computerized system after 3 years.

Conclusions: The electronic production of an endoscopic report turned out to be the most expensive way of report writing during the first 5 years, due to high initial costs. After 5 years the costs of the different systems were comparable with each other. Cost-benefit analysis showed a positive financial benefit for computerized reports after 3 years.

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M. J. M. GroenenMD 

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Rijnstate Hospital

Wagnerlaan 55, 6815 AD Arnhem
The Netherlands

Fax: +31-88-0057506

Email: mgroenen@alysis.nl