Cost effectiveness of ultrasound-guided long peripheral catheters in difficult vascular access patients

Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) placement is a routinely performed invasive procedure in hospital settings with an unacceptably high failure rate that can result in significant costs. This investigation aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of using long peripheral catheters (LPC) versus standard short peripheral catheters (SPC) in the difficult vascular access (DVA) population.

A secondary analysis was performed of a randomized control trial that compared a 20-gauge 4.78 cm SPC to a 20-gauge 6.35 cm SPC for the endpoint of survival. This study assessed cost-effectiveness of the comparative interventions. Costs associated with increased hospitalization length of stay due to PIVC failure, including labor, materials, equipment, and treatment delays were estimated by utilizing healthcare resource utilization data. Cost-effectiveness of the LPC was analyzed through the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, the cost-effectiveness acceptability curve, and the incremental net benefit. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results during the time interval of PIVC insertion.

Among the 257 patients, the average total cost for therapy was lower in the LPC group compared to the SPC group ($400 vs $521; mean difference -$121, 95% bootstrapped CI -$461 to $225). A marginally significant absolute difference of complication averted was found for LPC versus SPC (10.8%, p = 0.07). The estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for LPC as compared with SPC was -$1123 (95% bootstrapped CI -$8652 to $5964) per complication averted. In a willingness to pay (WTP) analysis, as WTP = $0, the incremental net benefit (INB) $121 was positive, indicating LPC was less costly. Analysis of PIVCs that survived ⩽48 h (n = 134) demonstrated a lower average total cost for therapy among the LPC group ($418 vs $531; mean difference -$113, 95% bootstrapped CI -$507 to $282). Forty-seven of 66 (71.2%) LPCs did not experience a complication, compared with 37 of 68 (54.4%) SPCs, resulting in a significant absolute difference of complication adverted of 16.8% (p = 0.04). In addition, with a positive slope, the INB $113 was positive as WTP = $0, indicating LPC was estimated to be cost-effective.

When using ultrasound guidance for vascular access, LPCs are potentially a cost-effective strategy for reducing PIVC complications in DVA patients compared to SPCs. Given this finding, ultrasound-guided LPCs should be routinely considered as first-line among the DVA population in order to improve their overall care and wellbeing.