Centre bans reuse of single-use medical devices across hospitals; flags recycling of disposables
The Directorate General of Health Services issued a letter banning the reuse of single-use medical devices in hospitals. The agency found some private and corporate hospitals were sterilizing and reusing disposable items. These devices were used in services such as oncology, cardiology, nephrology, neurosurgery, and vascular surgery. Officials warned that this practice could lead to device malfunction and reduced performance. There is also a risk that patients could be exposed to cross-infection and other complications.
In a letter dated Oct 16, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said it had come to its notice that some private and corporate hospitals were reusing single-use devices after sterilising them, including items used in cardiology, nephrology, oncology, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS), neurosurgery and other clinical services. The DGHS said that reuse could expose patients to cross-infection, device malfunction, reduced performance and other complications.