Reuse of medical devices: implications for infection control

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2012 Mar;26(1):165-72. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2011.09.010.

Abstract

Reuse of both single-use and multiuse medical devices is a common practice and can result in transmission of infection when appropriate sterilization or reprocessing does not occur. Reuse of single-use devices can be problematic because there are no clear standards for reprocessing, although data regarding adverse outcomes are limited. Single-use devices are commonly reused, appropriately or inappropriately, in resource-limited settings because of cost constraints. Reuse of medical devices raises important legal and ethical questions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Decontamination / methods*
  • Disposable Equipment / economics
  • Equipment Contamination / prevention & control
  • Equipment Reuse* / economics
  • Equipment Reuse* / standards
  • Ethics, Medical
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods*
  • Infection Control / standards
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • United States