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Chapter-15 Reuse of Disposable Medical Devices

BOOK TITLE: Hospital Sterilization

Author
1. Nagaraja Prem Anand
ISBN
9789350250693
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11249_15
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2011
Pages
11
Author Affiliations
1. Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Chapter keywords

Abstract

Due to economic and other reasons, at times disposable or single use devices are recycled. It must be kept in mind that patient safety is of primary concern in providing high quality health care. The reuse of disposable devices intended by the manufacturer to be used only once is controversial. Each institution must address this issue in view of the needs of its patient population, its resources, and its legal liability for any failures of reprocessed items. All reprocessing should conform to established reuse policies. Unless an institution can demonstrate and document that patient safety and reprocessing a disposable medical device does not compromise device effectiveness, reprocessing is not recommended. The following are some guidelines to assist individual institutions to develop reuse policy. The most significant issue in evaluating a reuse program is patient safety. Keeping that in mind, before designing or implementing a reprocessing program, health care facilities seeking to decrease costs must perform careful cost analyses to ensure that cost savings are realized. The steps involved in reprocessing are numerous and complex. The process cannot be implemented casually. It must be controlled and vigorously monitored to ensure clean and sterilized reprocessed items are used.

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