For the second time in less than a year, hospitals are encouraged, by leading scientific authorities in the United States, to increase reprocessing of select single-use devices.
Last September we saw the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality issue a primer to hospitals advocating for the use of more reprocessed devices. In May, the U.S. National Academy of Medicine’s Collaborative on Decarbonizing the U.S. Health Sector called for optimizing more reprocessing in accordance with U.S. FDA requirements.
An increasing body of research shows that the use of reprocessed devices reduces greenhouse gas emissions, costs, and waste, while strengthening fragile healthcare supply chains. Given the overwhelming majority of greenhouse gas emissions from the health sector come from the supply chain, and that FDA and other federal-level regulatory authorities have strong oversight in place to ensure standards are met, increasing their use is one of the easiest ways hospitals can have an immediate impact on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
News stories about policies that advance the use of reprocessing have never been stronger. Since March 1, at least 25 articles advocating for more reprocessed devices have appeared.
Policies recognizing the incredible benefits of reprocessed single-use devices do not happen without dedication and hard work. We want to thank our friends at Healthcare Without Harm, particularly Antonia Herzog and Keith Edgerton. Researchers who have taken a keen interest in understanding reprocessing, including Jodi Sherman at Yale University, Hardeep Singh from Baylor College of Medicine, and Cassie Theil from NYU. Regulatory and communications staff from our members and from our organization have worked doggedly to secure these wins. Thank you all.
I’ve never been more excited for the future of the reprocessing industry. Thanks for reading, and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn to get more frequent updates
Best Wishes,
Dan Vukelich, Esq., CAE
President & CEO
Association of Medical Device Reprocessors
www.amdr.org