Category: Health Services

Healthcare providers reprocess reusable medical devices to save money and reduce waste. Examples of reusable medical devices include surgical forceps, endoscopes, and stethoscopes. However, there are concerns about the safety and performance of reprocessed devices. Inadequate cleaning and sterilization of instruments can result in the retention of blood, tissue, and other biological debris in reusable devices, which increases the risk of surgical-site infections (SSIs) in patients. The debris can allow microbes to survive the subsequent disinfection or sterilization process, which could then lead to HAIs.