A Framework for Evaluating the Economic and Operational Impact of Adopting the Sentimag®platform for Lesion Localization and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Women with Breast Cancer
Author(s)
Julia Olsen, MS1, Scott Pohlman, MS1, Matia Saeedian, BS, MS, PharmD2, Danny Tamayo, MBA1, Claire Makin, BSc1;
1Hologic, Marlborough, MA, USA, 2BluePath Solutions, Los Angeles, CA, USA
1Hologic, Marlborough, MA, USA, 2BluePath Solutions, Los Angeles, CA, USA
OBJECTIVES: The Sentimag® system is a medical device that aids in locating magnetic markers within soft tissue during surgery. This study aimed to develop a model to evaluate the economic and operational impacts of adopting the Sentimag platform, consisting of Magseed® (magnetic seed for breast lesion localization) and Magtrace® (non-radioactive superparamagnetic lymphatic tracer for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer patients), from the hospital perspective.
METHODS: A model was constructed using inputs primarily derived from published literature and the CMS Physician Fee Schedule. The base-case scenario involved a hospital that treats 400 breast cancer patients annually, with 200 requiring lesion localization and 300 undergoing SLNB. The annual cost of the Sentimag system was compared to standard of care (SOC): wire-guided localization, SLNB using technetium-99m and blue dye. Operational efficiencies were quantified.
RESULTS: The combined cost of lesion localization and SLNB was $1,099,060 (SOC) versus $922,248 (Sentimag system), for annual savings of $176,812. Using Magseed instead of wires spares 16 minutes per localization, amounting to 53.3 hours of radiology time saved. This translates to 62 slots or $128,333 in potential revenue. A 29-minute reduction in operating room (OR) delay time with Magseed vs. wire-guided localization corresponds to 96.7 hours saved, potentially enabling 82 new breast surgery procedures or $400,520 in revenue. The full efficiencies of Magseed are realized with the addition of Magtrace, by eliminating the need for nuclear medicine; repurposing 50% of 300 nuclear medicine slots with other procedures could generate $99,711 in additional revenue. Magtrace can reduce OR start delays; 30 hours saved may enable 25 additional breast surgeries, potentially generating $124,299 in revenue. Adopting the full Sentimag platform enables total decoupling of surgery, which may generate total additional revenue of $752,863.
CONCLUSIONS: The model demonstrated that adopting the Sentimag platform may result in positive economic and operational impact for hospitals.
METHODS: A model was constructed using inputs primarily derived from published literature and the CMS Physician Fee Schedule. The base-case scenario involved a hospital that treats 400 breast cancer patients annually, with 200 requiring lesion localization and 300 undergoing SLNB. The annual cost of the Sentimag system was compared to standard of care (SOC): wire-guided localization, SLNB using technetium-99m and blue dye. Operational efficiencies were quantified.
RESULTS: The combined cost of lesion localization and SLNB was $1,099,060 (SOC) versus $922,248 (Sentimag system), for annual savings of $176,812. Using Magseed instead of wires spares 16 minutes per localization, amounting to 53.3 hours of radiology time saved. This translates to 62 slots or $128,333 in potential revenue. A 29-minute reduction in operating room (OR) delay time with Magseed vs. wire-guided localization corresponds to 96.7 hours saved, potentially enabling 82 new breast surgery procedures or $400,520 in revenue. The full efficiencies of Magseed are realized with the addition of Magtrace, by eliminating the need for nuclear medicine; repurposing 50% of 300 nuclear medicine slots with other procedures could generate $99,711 in additional revenue. Magtrace can reduce OR start delays; 30 hours saved may enable 25 additional breast surgeries, potentially generating $124,299 in revenue. Adopting the full Sentimag platform enables total decoupling of surgery, which may generate total additional revenue of $752,863.
CONCLUSIONS: The model demonstrated that adopting the Sentimag platform may result in positive economic and operational impact for hospitals.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
EE367
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, SDC: Oncology, STA: Surgery