Reuse of disposable medical devices in Canadian hospitals.
A survey of all Canadian hospitals was undertaken in 1986 to determine the extent of the reuse of disposable medical devices meant for "single use only." It was found that 41% of hospitals regularly reused disposable medical devices, and reuse was significantly higher in hospitals with more than 200 beds. Only 38% of hospitals that regularly reused had written procedures for reuse, and 32% indicated a mechanism for determining the number of times a device was reused. Cost analysis studies had been undertaken by only 29% of regular reusers, and items of respiratory therapy equipment were the most commonly reused devices.
Campbell
B A
BA
Division of Hospital Epidemiology, Health and Welfare Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
Wells
G A
GA
Palmer
W N
WN
Martin
D L
DL
D002170:Canada; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004209:Disposable Equipment / Q000592:standards*; D004869:Equipment Safety; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires