Reprocessing single-use devices--the ethical dilemma

This is the first 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. The practice of reprocessing is complex and technical, and it raises concerns about patient safety, ethics, the environment, and costs. Opponents of reprocessing argue that the risks outweigh the benefits and that research has not proven it to be safe. Supporters believe the devices are labeled for single use so that manufacturers can maintain their profit margin and avoid liability. The purpose of part one of this article is to inform nurses about the ethical issues, patient safety issues (e.g., infection control, patient injury), and previously performed research studies regarding reprocessing and reusing products that are intended for single use. The second and third articles in this series will discuss procedures for reprocessing, roles of the regulatory agencies involved, and advantages and disadvantages of using third-party reprocessors.