Hospitals Reusing Medical Devices
Posted by
Dan FrithMarch 22, 2008 6:02 AMHow about this story line? A growing number of America's hospitals are reusing medical devices labeled as single-use. The items include everything from scissors to sharp saw blades used by surgeons to cut through bones. Does this bother you? It should!
Even the manufacturers of single-use medical devices are against reusing the devices. Why? Because the devices are not designed for multiple uses and pose a higher risk of failure when recycled. The manufacturers maintain that single-use medical devices are not designed to withstand harsh sterilization chemicals and processes. The hospitals, however, are ignoring the manufacturers' concerns and argue the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will oversee the process and assure patient safety.
You've got to be kidding me? Rely on the FDA to assure patient safety? How well did the FDA do in assuring patient safety with contaminated Heparin, Vioxx causing heart attacks, Baycol, Accutane, Zelnorm, use of pedicle screws for back surgery, and the list goes on and on and on.
Kudos to the Veterans Administration Hospitals. The VA, along with 153 hospitals, has had a long-standing policy against the use of reprocessed devices. The VA realized the reuse of these devices is not safe for the patient. The risk of contamination and the spread of infectious diseases are sufficient reasons not to reuse these devices.
If you are in the process of undergoing an invasive procedure or surgery, I urge you to ask your doctor if reused or reprocessed medical instruments will be used in the procedure. I know I will ask that question and specifically direct that these devices not be used in my procedure.