The average price paid for electrosurgical units—medical devices used for surgical cutting and controlling bleeding—rose 8.5% over the past year, according to the most recent Modern Healthcare/ECRI Institute Technology Price Index.
The index looks at monthly and annual price data for about 30 supply and capital items purchased by hospitals and other healthcare providers, based on three-month rolling averages.
The average price paid for an electrosurgical unit was about $15,800, with basic units costing on average about $7,000 and the more advanced units having an average price of roughly $18,000.
Electrosurgical units are most often used in operating and delivery rooms and outpatient surgical units. The advanced units have the capability to incorporate additional features, such as vessel sealing during surgery and special cutting modes that can be useful during gastrointestinal procedures, said Kevin Lee, senior analyst for the ECRI Institute’s healthcare technology advisory service.
Two factors have driven up spending on the equipment over the last year: More hospitals are interested in purchasing the advanced units and the vendors of both basic and advanced units have raised list prices anywhere from 3% to 5% from 2012 to 2013.
Follow Jaimy Lee on Twitter: @MHjlee
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