aScope Broncho Supporting Evidence
There are many reasons why choosing a single-use bronchoscope is beneficial — to the clinician, to the practice and, ultimately, to the patient. Our aScope™ Broncho Evidence Dossier explores the many health outcomes such as contamination and infection, health economics, product performance, and more. Open one of the sections below to review full text and abstracts with links to their initial publication and research.
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Organizational Impact
Flexible Bronchoscope Setup and Reprocessing Time: A Multicenter Prospective Study
Islam et al.
The average time required to set up and reprocess a reusable bronchoscope was found to be 48’56”, not including delays. The time required to get a reusable bronchoscope ready for the next procedure was found to be longer than the average procedure time observed, increasing the chances of procedural delays. To combat delays, facilities should consider purchasing more bronchoscopes, spread cases out throughout the day, increase working hours or procedure days, or adopt single-use bronchoscopes such as the aScope 4 or 5.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2024
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Current Issues in Availability of Reusable Thin and Ultrathin Bronchoscopes in Bronchoscopy
Cool et al.
More than half of physicians have delayed procedures due to a lack of thin and ultrathin bronchoscope availability. Thin and Ultrathin single-use bronchoscopes have the potential to increase treatment efficiency.
aScope 5 Broncho
2024
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Single-Use (Disposable) Flexible Bronchoscopes: The Future of Bronchoscopy?
Barron and Kennedy
Single-use bronchoscopes hold several advantages compared to reusable bronchoscopes, including decreased delay, cost, risk of nosocomial infection spread, and portability.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2020
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Single-use flexible bronchoscopes compared with reusable bronchoscopes: Positive Organizational impact but a costly solution
Chateauviex et al.
Organizational impact should be considered when assessing medical devices. This study shows that, from an organizational viewpoint, there are many advantages in using SFBs, including working conditions and safety, patient pathways, logistics, training requirements, etc.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2018
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Experience with the use of single-use disposable bronchoscopes in the ICU in a tertiary referral center of Singapore
Marshall, D., et al.
The use of a single-use bronchoscope in the ICU led to a reduction in the number of staff required to perform a bronchoscopy, shorter time between identifcation of bronchoscopy need and procedure start, and reduced the use of resources.
aScope 4 Broncho
2017
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Health Economics
Systematic Review and Cost-Consequence Analysis of Ambu aScope 5 Broncho Compared with Reusable Flexible Bronchoscopes: Insights from Two US University Hospitals and an Academic Institution
Kristensen et al.
In bronchoscopy suites performing less than 756 bronchoscopies per year, the aScope 5 Broncho may be more cost minimizing than reusable flexible bronchoscopess.
aScope 5 Broncho
2023
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The Cost of Flexible Bronchoscopes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Andersen et al.
There is no significant difference between the cost of use for reusable and single-use bronchoscopes.
aScope 5 Broncho
2022
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Cost-Utility Analysis of the Ambu aScope 4 Broncho Single-Use Flexible Video Bronchoscope Compared to Reusable Flexible Video Bronchoscopes
Mærkedahl et al.
The aScope 4 Broncho is cost-effective in comparison to reusable flexible bronchoscopes and is associated with a cost saving of $273.39 and a small gain in QALYs.
aScope 4 Broncho
2020
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A Systematic Review and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Reusable vs. Single-use Flexible Bronchoscopes
Mouritsen et al.
Single-use bronchoscopes were found to be more cost-effective than reusable bronchoscopes as well as provide superior outcomes in crosscontamination and resource utilization.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2020
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Cost Comparison of Single-Use Versus Reusable Bronchoscopes Used For Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy
Sohrt et al.
Single-use bronchoscopes result in significant cost savings when used to guide a percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) and are preferred to their reusable counterparts.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2019
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Early Assessment of the Likely Cost-Effectiveness of Single-Use Flexible Video Bronchoscopes
Terjesen et al.
The implementation of the single-use technology in the intensive care unit is cost-effective in most scenarios.
aScope 4 Broncho
2017
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Cost analysis of single-use (Ambu aScope) and reusable bronchoscopes in the ICU
Perbet et al.
Reusable bronchoscope costs vary signficantly depending on procedure volume per year, amout of bronchoscope capital, and the number of repairs required. The cost per procedure with reusable bronchosocpes amounted to $1,958.70 and $497.90.
aScope 4 Broncho
2017
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Cost-effectiveness analysis of flexible optical scopes for tracheal intubation: a descriptive comparative study of reusable and single-use scopes
Gupta et al.
Bronchoscope repairs cost $2,959 per instance and can be expected every 55 intubations.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2011
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Contamination and Infection
Bronchoscopy-related outbreaks and pseudo-outbreaks: A systematic review
Kakoullis et al.
Continued vigilance in bronchoscopy disinfection practices remains essential because outbreaks and pseudo-outbreaks continue to pose a significant risk to patient care, emphasizing the importance of stringent disinfection and quality control measures.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2024
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Unveiling a Hospital Infection Outbreak: Contaminated Bronchoscope and Pan Drug-Resistant pseudomonas Aerugnosa Biofilm
Hassan et al.
Single-use bronchoscopes help eliminate the issues of reusables bronchoscopes such as infection outbreaks caused by pan drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) biofilm.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2024
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Are Single-use Thin and Ultrathin Bronchoscopes Effective Tools to Help You Treat Critically Ill Patients?
Cool et al.
Single-use thin and ultrathin bronchoscopes may enhance healthcare professionals' ability to efficiently address unmet needs, particularly in treating immunocompromised patients, emergent cases, and individuals with smaller anatomies.
aScope 5 Broncho
2024
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Borescope Examination and Microbial Culture Results of Endoscopes In a Tertiary Care Hospital Led to Changes In Storage Protocols to Improve Patient Safety
Wallace et al.
Borescope evaluations and microbial culturing should be conducted frequently to ensure safe endoscopy procedures. 28% of reprocessed respiratory scopes had positive microbial cultures.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2023
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Bronchoscopy‑Related Infection and the Development of Single‑Use Bronchoscopy Technology
Logan et al.
Single-use bronchoscopes provide sterile and immediate access for procedures in the ICU and endoscopy suite.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2023
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Cross Contamination Rate of Reusable Flexible Bronchoscopes: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis
Travis et al.
The literature review found 8.69% cross-contamination rate for reusable flexible bronchoscopes. Reprocessing methods are flawed, andsuggestions for new approaches should be discussed.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2023
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The Utility of Lighted Magnification and Borescopes For Visual Inspection of Flexible Endoscopes
Ofstead et al.
Visual inspection with magnification and borescopes identified actionable defects that could interfere with processing effectiveness in 100% of endoscopes.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2023
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Pseudo-Outbreak of Adenovirus in Bronchoscopy Suite
Seielman et al.
Bronchoscopy-related pseudo-outbreaks occur despite standardized procedures for HLD. Of a total of 35 patients who had a bronchoscopy with a RFB, 10 (28.6%) tested positive for adenovirus infection.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2021
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Bronchoscope-related “superbug” infections
Mehta and Muscarella
Reusable flexible bronchoscopes may pose an underrecognized potential risk for transmission of CRE and related MDROs.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2019
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Effectiveness of Reprocessing for Flexible Bronchoscopes and Endobronchial Ultrasound Bronchoscopes
Ofstead et al.
After manual cleaning, 100% of bronchoscopes had residual contamination. Microbial growth was found in 14 fully reprocessed bronchoscopes (58%), including mold, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Escherichia coli/Shigella species.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2018
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Microbiological monitoring of flexible bronchoscopes after high-level disinfection and flushing channels with alcohol: Results and costs
Galvada et al.
9% of reprocessed bronchoscopes were positive for at least one microbiologic specimen, of which 3% were pathogenic or potentially pathogenic organisms.
aScope 4 Broncho
2015
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Transmission of Infection by Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Bronchoscopy
Kovaleva et al.
Inadequate cleaning of flexible endoscopes has been frequently associated with microbial transmission during endoscopic procedures. A contaminated bronchoscope caused 20% of patients to show symptoms.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2013
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Environmental Impact
Comparative Study on Environmental Impacts of Reusable and Single-Use Bronchoscopes
Sorensen et al.
Reusable flexible bronchoscopes may have comparable or higher CO2 emissions and material and energy consumption than single-use bronchoscpoes.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2018
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Clinical Performance
Single-Use Flexible Bronchoscope Evaluation for Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Wagh et al.
Single-use bronchoscopes with integrated sampling systems, such as the aScope 4 and aScope 5, provide clinicians with an easier and preferred tool for performing BAL and may allow physicians to perform BAL more efficiently and safely, without the need for additional staff.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2024
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Role of single-use flexible bronchoscopes
Podder et al.
Single-use bronchoscopes add the benefits of portability, immediate availability, reduction in iatrogenic infections, and improved flexion/extension when compared to reusables.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2024
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Comparative Performance of Novel Single-use Thin and Ultrathin Bronchoscopes
Lee et al.
Single-use thin and ultrathin scopes with working channels rated higher than reusable bronchoscopes of similar sizes in every category measured.
aScope 5 Broncho
2024
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Single-use flexible bronchoscopes vs traditional reusable flexible bronchoscopes: a prospective controlled study
He et al.
Single-use bronchoscopes are non-inferior to reusable bronchoscopes in routine bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, and biopsy, indicating a wider clinical application.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2023
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A Comparison of Single-Use Bronchoscopes and Reusable Bronchoscopes for Interventional Pulmonology Applications
Kurman et al.
The Ambu aScope 5 was either superior or equivalent to the reusable flexible bronchoscope in the most categories such as: bending capability, scope rigidity, maneuverability, handling, optics, channel shape and size, and suction.
aScope 5 Broncho
2023
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User Satisfaction and Ease of Use of Single-Use Bronchoscopes for Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Wagh et al.
Single-use bronchoscopes with integrated sampling systems, such as the aScope 4 and aScope 5, provide clinicians with an easier and preferred tool for performing BAL and may allow physicians to perform BAL more efficiently and safely, without the need for additional staff.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2023
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A Comparison of User Satisfaction with Single-Use Flexible Bronchoscopes
Schwalk et al.
Single-use bronchoscopes are a viable alternative to reusable flexible bronchoscopes given their highly rated image quality, maneuverability and sampling performance.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2023
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Bronchoscopist’s perception of the quality of the single-use bronchoscope (Ambu® aScope™ 4) in selected bronchoscopies: a multicentre study in 21 Spanish pulmonology services
Flandes et al.
In more than 90% of the cases, all the pulmonary segments could be reached, and all the planned techniques could be performed with an Ambu single-use bronchoscope.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2020
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Evaluation of intubation and intensive care use of the new Ambu® aScope™ 4 Broncho and Ambu® aView™ compared to a customary flexible endoscope: a multicentre prospective, non-interventional study
Kriege et al.
Physicians prefer the Ambu single-use bronchoscope to their conventional reusable flexible bronchoscope both for intubation and bronchoscopy.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2020
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Single use and conventional bronchoscopes for Broncho alveolar lavage (BAL) in research: a comparative study
Zaidi et al.
Single-use bronchoscopes achieved a larger BAL volume yield than conventional bronchoscopes, with comparable cell yield and viability. Better volume yields can potentially reduce post-procedure side effects such as pleuritic chest pain and cough.
aScope 4 Broncho
2017
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Reprocessing
Costs involved in compliance with new endoscope reprocessing guidelines
Hoffman and Cool
The additional steps outlined in the new AAMI reprocessing standards represent incremental costs of approximately $60 and an additional 24 minutes per reprocessing cycle. As more single-use endoscopes enter the market, facilities should consider the impact they may have on offsetting delays and/or increasing costs.
aScope 4 Broncho & aScope 5 Broncho
2024
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Download Evidence Dossier
View published studies on bronchoscope performance, sterility, cost-effectiveness, organizational impact, and COVID-19 implications. The studies support claims related to Ambu aScope Broncho single-use endoscopes.
