This study demonstrates bedside percutaneous ultrasound gastrostomy (PUG) leads to decreased Length of Stay (LOS) and total hospital costs in patients with ventilator-dependent respiratory failure. Hospital costs were significantly reduced with a per patient savings of $26,621 compared to usual care gastrostomy.

A total of 88 patients were included in the analysis, 45 patients in the PUG group and 43 in the usual care gastrostomy group. No differences were observed in demographic and clinical characteristics.

Patients who received PUG had a significantly shorter mean ICULOS and hospital LOS, with reductions of 5.0 and 8.7 days, respectively.

Total hospital costs were significantly reduced in the PUG group, with a cost savings of US $26,621 per patient. No differences in mortality or discharge disposition were observed.

PUG patients received concomitant percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy (PDT) and PUG (“TPUG”) 70% of the time, whereas no usual care patients received concomitant procedures.

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