An Analysis of the Economic, Environmental, and Ethical Benefits of Reprocessing Single Use Medical Devices

Since the 1970s, hospitals around the world, particularly in the United States, Canada and Europe, have employed the practice of reprocessing medical devices intended for single use. Single use devices (SUDs) include blood pressure cuffs, deep vein thrombosis compression sleeves, harmonic scalpels, endoscopic trocars, balloon inflation devices, and many more. However, as these devices became less expensive to fabricate, they became more economically viable to dispose of after one use. In recent years, companies like Stryker and Johnson & Johnson have expanded the reprocessing market. These corporations have proven that third party reprocessing can save hospitals millions of dollars in costs, as well as divert millions of pounds of biohazardous waste from landfills and create a more sustainable medical market. The market is still in its early stages, so there is a lot more room for it to grow from its $1.64B global market share. This poster will delve into the Economic, Environmental, and Ethical benefits from reprocessing single use medical devices for all parties involved: the third party reprocessor, the hospital, the patient, the sterilization company, and the insurance company.