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Reprocessing single-use surgical supplies and devices is an option for hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). The US Federal Government has recognized the practice since 2000, and regulatory oversight has increased dramatically since that time. Reprocessing single-use devices is safe when personnel use approved methods, and health care facilities can experience significant cost savings by participating in this type of initiative. This article explores reprocessing and its benefits in ASCs, including a review of the oversight that the US Food and Drug Administration currently has for reprocessing and a discussion of the results of studies pertaining to this practice. The article also describes some issues that ASC leaders need to be aware of when considering the implementation of a reprocessing program. Single-use device reprocessing can be an effective tool for ASC leaders to conserve and manage resources., (© AORN, Inc, 2019.)

The Västra Götaland region carried out a project to develop resource-efficient surgeries using standardized hip prosthesis surgery as case. The purpose was to reduce and streamline the use of consumables and thus reduce the climate impact. At the surgery departments of three hospitals, significant variations were found in the supply and use of consumables during operations for total hip replacement (5.0-6.6 kg dry weight/operation). The major part of disposables consisted of surgery textiles, and choosing fossil-free products has the beneficial impact on a carbon footprint. Customized surgical procedure trays significantly reduce the number of packages and result in reduced work load for the staff. However, since there is a long term trend to increase the use of consumables in such sets, there is a need of continuous monitoring of such choices. In summary, a critical review of routines for care and use of materials is a powerful tool for streamlining healthcare and reducing its climate impact.

Medical waste is a necessary by-product of any hospital environment; however, the majority of regulated medical waste is produced in the OR from the use of disposable surgical supplies (eg, drapes, gowns, basins, gloves, sponges). We conducted a concept comparison project in the ORs of two large medical centers in Bethesda, Maryland, and Washington, DC, to evaluate the effects of using reusable surgical basins, gowns, and table and Mayo stand covers in place of disposable products. Survey results indicated that surgeons and surgical technologists found the reusable products to be preferable to the disposable products currently in use. In addition, using reusable products provided a means to decrease regulated medical waste generated in the OR by an average of 65% as well as reduce the cost of waste disposal. AORN recommends evaluating the environmental effects of using reusable, reposable, and disposable products; our findings provide evidence that may be useful to surgical facilities that seek to adopt a "green" approach., (Copyright 2010 AORN, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

It is difficult to estimate precisely the costs of disposable materials used during surgical operations. To evaluate the actual costs of disposable materials, we calculated the actual costs of disposable materials used in 59 operations by taking account of costs of all disposable materials used for each operation. The costs of the disposable materials varied significantly from operation to operation (US$ 38-4230 per operation), and the median [25-percentile and 75-percentile] of the sum total of disposable material costs of a single operation was found to be US$ 686 [205 and 993]. Multiple regression analysis with a stepwise regression method showed that costs of disposable materials significantly correlated only with operation time (p<0.001). Based on the results, we propose a simple method for estimating costs of disposable materials by measuring operation time, and we found that the method gives reliable results. Since costs of disposable materials used during surgical operations are considerable, precise estimation of the costs is essential for hospital cost accounting. Our method should be useful for planning hospital administration strategies.

Surgical draping practices throughout the UK vary between hospitals. This national survey (funded through an NATN/3M Clinical Fellowship) sought to determine the extent of various draping practices and identify practitioners' reasons for selecting specific draping products.

This is the third in a series of three articles about reprocessing medical devices labeled as "single use" by the manufacturer. The goal of reprocessing single-use devices (SUDs) is to save money and decrease environmental pollution. Reprocessing can be performed on SUDs that have been used on other patients or opened but not used. This article discusses the roles of the involved regulatory agencies and organizations guiding the process. The first article in the series, published in the May 2002 issue of the AORN Journal, discusses the ethical component of reusing SUDs. The second article, published in the June 2002 issue of the Journal, discusses the procedures for reprocessing (e.g., cleaning, inspecting, sterilizing, tracking, testing, validating) and establishing a reuse program.

This is the second in a series of three articles about reprocessing medical devices labeled as "single use" by the manufacturer. The goal of reprocessing single-use devices (SUDs) is to save money and decrease environmental pollution. Reprocessing can be performed on SUDs that have been used on other patients or opened but not used. In this article, the procedures for reprocessing (e.g., cleaning, inspecting, sterilizing, tracking, testing, validating) and establishing a reuse program are discussed. The first article of the series, published in the May 2002 issue of the Journal, discussed the ethical component of reusing SUDs. The third article, to be published in the July 2002 issue, will discuss the roles of the involved regulatory agencies and organizations guiding the process.