A performance and theoretical cost analysis of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in a UK tertiary respiratory centre

Abstract

Medical innovation is fundamental to improved patient care. EBUS can potentially reduce morbidity for lung cancer patients and save health community costs. However, with PbR the service provider delivers this at a loss as the tariffs do not reflect innovation and because of coding inaccuracies. We suggest tariffs for innovative procedures need to reflect the true cost.