Hospital medical device reuse ban; Keeping in mind the health and safety of patients, the Central Government has issued directives to ban re-use of single-use medical devices in hospitals and health centres. According to the orders issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), single-use medical devices (…)
Hospital medical device reuse ban; Keeping in mind the health and safety of patients, the Central Government has issued directives to ban re-use of single-use medical devices in hospitals and health centres. According to the directives issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), single-use medical devices will not be allowed to be sterilized and reused. Doing so may increase the risk of spreading infection to patients.
According to information, the DGHS had received complaints that in some hospitals single-use medical equipment was being cleaned or sterilized and reused on different patients. Considering this as dangerous for the health of patients, these instructions have been issued. These orders will apply to government and private hospitals.
Violation of the rules may lead to action
According to the order, health departments and hospital management of all states have been asked to ensure that medical equipment is used as per the instructions given to them. Strict action may be taken against health institutions violating the rules.
Rules regarding the use of medical devices are also applicable under the Medical Devices Rules of India, 2017. Hospitals have therefore been instructed to avoid reuse of single-use equipment and follow safety standards.
What are single-use medical devices?
Single-use medical devices are devices intended for use by only one patient or during a medical procedure. These include needles, syringes and some other disposable devices. They are not cleaned and prepared for reuse after use.
What diseases are at risk from reuse?
If a used needle or syringe is used on another patient, serious diseases can be spread through infected blood. These include diseases like HIV, Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C. For this reason, safe use of medical equipment and adherence to infection prevention rules are considered important.