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The use of single-use medical supplies is now ubiquitous in medical practice. Because of the high cost of these items, the practice of reusing them after sterilization is also common, especially in resource-poor economies. However, the ethics of reusing single-use items remain unclear. There are several similar conditions that articulate the ethics of reusing single-use items.
These include the use of recovered kidney transplants and the use of generic drugs, among others. Ethical concerns include patient safety concerns and the possibility of infection. It is also important to understand the role of informed consent before reusing single-use items. The widespread practice of reuse could potentially reduce high healthcare costs and reduce the amount of hospital waste generated.
The biggest benefit of using single-use medical supplies is that handling the device immediately after use improves patient safety. Disposable medical supplies reduce the risk of surgical site infections and cross-contamination. If only one person uses the device, and it is used correctly, the potential for transmission of germs and disease between patients and medical staff is virtually eliminated.
According to the CDC, single-use items improve patient safety by eliminating the risk of contamination between patients because the item is discarded and therefore not used for other patients. With the growing focus on infection control, disposable medical supplies can provide peace of mind, improve patient safety, and can greatly reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
