Unit Costs
Theater
All unit costs are based on fully absorbed accounting principles, or market prices if available; no hospital charges were used. Robot costs were based on the purchase and maintenance price for a surgical robot (Da Vinci X; Intuitive), a simulator, instruments, and staff time for training. Nonrecurrent costs were annuitized using a discount rate of 3.5% in advance over 10 years and zero reuse value.Cost per theater minute and cost per ward day were calculated in consultation with business managers at one of the larger recruiting sites. Theater costs were based on staffing, equipment, and consumables in urology theaters. Both theater and ward costs were then adjusted, pro rata, to match national average costs (eTable 2 in 