Utility and Costs During the Initial Year of 3D Printing in an Academic Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: There is a paucity of utility and cost data regarding the launch of 3D printing in a hospital. The objective of this project is to benchmark utility and costs for radiology-based in-hospital 3D printing of anatomic models in a single, adult academic hospital. METHODS: All consecutive patients for whom 3D printed anatomic models were requested during the first year of operation were included. All 3D printing activities were documented by the 3D printing faculty and referring specialists. For patients who underwent a procedure informed by 3D printing, clinical utility was determined by the specialist who requested the model. A new metric for utility termed Anatomic Model Utility Points with range 0 (lowest utility) to 500 (highest utility) was derived from the specialist answers to Likert statements. Costs expressed in United States dollars were tallied from all 3D printing human resources and overhead. Total costs, focused costs, and outsourced costs were estimated. The specialist estimated the procedure room time saved from the 3D printed model. The time saved was converted to dollars using hospital procedure room costs. RESULTS: The 78 patients referred for 3D printed anatomic models included 11 clinical indications. For the 68 patients who had a procedure, the anatomic model utility points had an overall mean (SD) of 312 (57) per patient (range, 200-450 points). The total operation cost was $213,450. The total cost, focused costs, and outsourced costs were $2,737, $2,180, and $2,467 per model, respectively. Estimated procedure time saved had a mean (SD) of 29.9 (12.1) min (range, 0-60 min). The hospital procedure room cost per minute was $97 (theoretical $2,900 per patient saved with model). DISCUSSION: Utility and cost benchmarks for anatomic models 3D printed in a hospital can inform health care budgets. Realizing pecuniary benefit from the procedure time saved requires future research.

The Role of Imaging in Health Screening: Overview, Rationale of Screening, and Screening Economics.

Imaging screening examinations are growing in their indications and volume to identify conditions at an early, treatable stage. The Radiology Research Alliance's 'Role of Imaging in Health Screening' Task Force provides a review of imaging-based screening rationale, economics, and describes established guidelines by various organizations. Various imaging modalities can be employed in screening, and are often chosen based on the specific pathology and patient characteristics. Prevalent disease processes with identifiable progression patterns that benefit from early potentially curative interventions are ideal for screening. Two such examples include colonic precancerous polyp progression to adenocarcinoma in colon cancer formation and atypical ductal hyperplasia progression to ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma in breast cancer. Economic factors in imaging-based screening are reviewed, including in the context of value-based reimbursements. Global differences in screening are outlined, along with the role of various organizational guidelines, including the American Cancer Society, the US Preventive Services Task Force, and the American College of Radiology.

A Radiology Trainee's Guide to Unique Opportunities Offered by the Radiological Society of North America.

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) offers educational resources and career development opportunities through many opportunities for trainees. However, trainees frequently lack access to or awareness of these opportunities and requirements. The purpose of this article is to promote access to RSNA trainee opportunities by illustrating their qualifications, advantages, and characteristics. Access to opportunities starts with RSNA membership, which grants access to several educational, research, and career development offerings. One focal point of RSNA opportunities is the RSNA Annual Meeting in Chicago, Ill, which provides several trainee-specific events. RSNA educational opportunities include access to board preparation content and information about emerging radiologic technologies. Research opportunities include mentor pairing, project development workshops, venues for presentation and publication, and the William W. Olmsted Editorial Fellowship for Trainees. Career development opportunities include positions for society involvement, leadership, and job searching. Collectively, the information presented in this article can guide the approach to early radiology career development for interested medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty advisers. ©RSNA, 2020.

Medical 3D Printing Cost-Savings in Orthopedic and Maxillofacial Surgery: Cost Analysis of Operating Room Time Saved with 3D Printed Anatomic Models and Surgical Guides.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: Three-dimensional (3D) printed anatomic models and surgical guides have been shown to reduce operative time. The purpose of this study was to generate an economic analysis of the cost-saving potential of 3D printed anatomic models and surgical guides in orthopedic and maxillofacial surgical applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A targeted literature search identified operating room cost-per-minute and studies that quantified time saved using 3D printed constructs. Studies that reported operative time differences due to 3D printed anatomic models or surgical guides were reviewed and cataloged. A mean of $62 per operating room minute (range of $22-$133 per minute) was used as the reference standard for operating room time cost. Different financial scenarios were modeled with the provided cost-per-minute of operating room time (using high, mean, and low values) and mean time saved using 3D printed constructs. RESULTS: Seven studies using 3D printed anatomic models in surgical care demonstrated a mean 62 minutes ($3720/case saved from reduced time) of time saved, and 25 studies of 3D printed surgical guides demonstrated a mean 23 minutes time saved ($1488/case saved from reduced time). An estimated 63 models or guides per year (or 1.2/week) were predicted to be the minimum number to breakeven and account for annual fixed costs. CONCLUSION: Based on the literature-based financial analyses, medical 3D printing appears to reduce operating room costs secondary to shortening procedure times. While resource-intensive, 3D printed constructs used in patients' operative care provides considerable downstream value to health systems.