P C Gupta

'Single-Use Medical Devices Can’t Be Reused': DGHS Bans Practice, Says Hospitals May Face Checks "Welcoming the move, Dr Sudhir Kumar, neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, said that reuse of devices labelled as single-use has been reported in some healthcare settings, often driven by cost pressures. “However, from a patient safety and regulatory perspective, reuse of devices intended for single use is difficult to justify because such devices are not designed or validated for repeated use." "The government’s directive prohibiting the reuse of devices and surgical items that are labelled by manufacturers as “single-use" is an important patient safety measure, said Dr Kumar. “Such devices are designed, tested, and approved for only one use. Reprocessing and reusing them can increase the risk of infection, device malfunction, reduced performance, and procedure-related complications, particularly in high-risk specialities such as cardiology, neurosurgery, oncology, and cardiovascular surgery," he added. Experts pointed to the financial side of implementation. Dr Kumar from Apollo said, “At the same time, implementation will require healthcare systems to address the financial implications of increased use of single-use devices, especially in resource-constrained settings. Policymakers, hospitals, insurers, and manufacturers should work together to ensure that safer practices do not inadvertently reduce access to essential procedures. Patient safety and affordability must go hand in hand." An informative article prepared by @ChandnaHimani published in @CNNnews18 has my quotes, alongside that of other experts. news18.com/india/single-use-…