Revista de enfermería (Barcelona, Spain)
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At the present time, concern has arisen as to whether or not medical devices designed for one use only should be reutilized after the appearances of outbreaks of Hepatitis C infections in Spain as well as in other countries. 80% of Spanish hospitals, both public and private, reprocess these one use only devices; there is no regulation at this time which guarantees this practice. The increase in endoscopic surgeries has led to an increase in health care costs, plus an increase in the residues which derive from their use. ⋯ In our country, a precise classification regarding which materials may or may not be reused does not exist, nor do protocols for sterilization and reprocessing and reuse of one use only devices. An agreement should be made by the parties involved; the administration, sanitary professionals, manufacturers of medical devices and the users which guarantees a balance between the important increase in health care costs due to throwing away these products and the insecurity which their use without a ratified guarantee means.