Cost comparison and safety of emergency department conscious sedation for the removal of ear foreign bodies

Publication date: July 2018
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 110
Author(s): Michael D. Olson, Jessica Saw, Sue L. Visscher, Karthik Balakrishnan
ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to investigate the relative cost and safety of ear foreign body (FB) removal via conscious sedation in the emergency department.MethodsA retrospective review of patients presenting from 2000 to 2015 to the emergency department at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota was performed. 63 patients requiring sedation for ear foreign body removal were identified. Descriptive data, safety data, and costs were obtained for the study.ResultsThere were no appreciable differences in patient safety outcomes and otologic outcomes in patients who received sedation in the emergency department or anesthesia in the operating room for FB removal. Cost analysis demonstrated increased cost associated with operating room utilization verses conscious sedation in the emergency department, with the greatest cost increase being in patients evaluated first in the emergency department and then sent to the operating room.ConclusionsEar foreign body removal in the emergency department is shows a similar safety profile to removal in the operating room, but at a markedly lower cost. Emergency department conscious sedation should be considered a viable option in appropriately selected patients with this common problem given these results.



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