With a focus on patient safety at its core, AIM packs novel features for improved intra-op monitoring, safer outcomes, cost savings, and higher patient satisfaction.
Risk Mitigation
- Hypoxia is the number one cause of sedation-related injuries, AIM delivers FiO2 of 96% and higher.
- Accurate capnography provides early apnea alert, lowering the risk of hypoxic events.
- Easier airway resuscitation and seamless conversion to general anesthesia may further mitigate patient injuries.
- May lower the risk of airway fires leading to patient injuries and lawsuits.
Cost Savings
- General anesthesia is often defaulted for higher-risk patients even though the procedure may not require general anesthesia, adding $400-600 per case.
- Longer wake-up time (average 8-12 minutes) leads to prolonged OR occupancy. The cost of OR time is $46.04/minute.
- Longer recovery room stay (PONV, history of sleep apnea), costs undetermined.
- Medications – Zemuron $12/vial, Sugammadex $155/vial, Neostigmine $12/vial, Glycopyrolaye $52/vial
- Supplies – GlideScope $15/blade, LMA $15, breathing circuit $8, suction catheter $4, temperature probe $4, bair-hugger, $20.
- Upon the discretion of the patient care team, sedation may be considered with general anesthesia as a backup.
Improved Patient Satisfaction
- Patients report higher satisfaction with sedation versus general anesthesia.
- Patient satisfaction scores are tied to Medicare reimbursement and malpractice suits.
Reduced Inventory of Multiple Alternative Devices
- Eliminating the need for bite-blocks and awake fiberoptic intubation (pink airways) could lower hospitals’ logistical challenges dealing with multiple vendors, stocking multiple devices, product availability, and price changes.
Cost of OR time References:
