HYSTEROSCOPY: Bringing Procedures into the Office

Today, nearly 75% of hysteroscopy procedures in the United States are performed in hospital operating rooms or in ambulatory care centers.

This raises the question of “why?”. Why is it that so many physicians are choosing to forego the convenience that in-office hysteroscopy procedures offer to patients and providers alike, especially when similar procedures—such as cystoscopy are performed most frequently in an office setting? Why ignore the benefits in-office hysteroscopy procedures can offer your patients, as well as the potential for a new revenue stream? And what will it take to bring hysteroscopy services into the doctor’s office?

The Concerns are Real. BUT SO ARE THE SOLUTIONS.

There are very real logistical and financial concerns that dissuade physicians from considering the possibility of bringing hysteroscopy procedures into their offices. Key deterrents include the following:

• A lack of staff buy-in regarding in-office hysteroscopy
• Inadequate resources available to gain the experience and confidence required to perform hysteroscopic procedures outside of the hospital or ambulatory care setting
• Significant costrelated factors, including the initial capital outlay for equipment
• Little or no access to protocols that are needed for the proper functioning of an inoffice hysteroscopy service
• Uncertainty regarding which patients are the right patients for in-office hysteroscopy procedures

Each of these concerns is valid. When faced with such perceived obstacles, it shouldn’t be surprising that physicians are often wary of taking on the challenge of offering hysteroscopy and other surgical procedures in their offices. However, there are solutions to these challenges—some that include receiving more accurate information, some that include advancements in technology, and some that include both.