Reprocessing of single-use medical devices: national survey of Canadian acute-care hospitals
Polisena J, Hailey D, Moulton K, Noorani H, Jacobs P, Normandin S, Gardam M
Record ID 32008000109
English, French
Authors' objectives:
"Primary research objective is to obtain information on the current situation in Canada on the reprocessing and re-use of SUDs. The research question is: What are current practices in Canadian institutions for reprocessing of SUDs? A separate Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) report, published concurrently, addresses the evidence on the safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of reprocessed SUDs." (executive summary)
Authors' results and conclusions:
After a pilot test, the survey was sent to 572 Canadian acute-care hospitals. The survey's response rate was 72%, and 398 responses (70%) were used in the analysis. Among the hospitals, 72% do not reprocess SUDs. Of those not currently reprocessing, however, 81% have done so in the past. The most common reasons given for discontinuing the practice were concerns about potential legal liability (77%) and patients- safety (74%).
A logistic regression analysis indicated that larger hospitals were more likely to reprocess SUDs. Hospitals in Quebec, New Brunswick, the Prairies, British Columbia, and the Territories were more likely to reprocess SUDs than those in other jurisdictions.
Most hospitals that reprocess SUDs do so in-house (n=94, 85%) compared with hospitals that use a third-party reprocessor (n=17, 15%). The SUDs that were most commonly reprocessed were breast pump kits, ventilator circuits, and burrs. Among hospitals that reprocess SUDs through a third-party, 76% (13/17) are strongly satisfied or satisfied with the function of the device, cleanliness and sterility of the device, and customer service.
Authors' recommendations:
Survey responses suggest that most hospitals (72%) do not reprocess SUDs. The reasons given for not reprocessing include concerns about patients' safety, legal liability, and absence of regulation. Of the 28% of responding hospitals that reprocess SUDs, most (85%) do so in-house. Among hospitals that reprocess SUDs, 40% do not have a written policy, and 12% do not have an incident-reporting mechanism, suggesting a need for improved standards of documentation in this area.
Authors' methods:
Systematic review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
2008
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
- Equipment Safety
- Safety Management
- Disposable Equipment
- Equipment Contamination
- Equipment Reuse
- Sterilization
Contact
Organisation Name:
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
Contact Address:
600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;
Contact Name:
requests@cadth.ca
Contact Email:
requests@cadth.ca
Copyright:
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.