Risks of using re-usable instruments

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RISK
  • Patient Cross Contamination Risk
  • Risk to Staff
  • Inability to Decontaminate Prion Proteins with vCJD Risk  

 

RESULT
  • Extended stay with additional cost
  • Duty of care and staff welfare
  • Damage to hospital reputation
  • Risk of litigation and increased premiums for trust  
Contamination Risk - Jobson Horne Probe
  • Probe returned to ENT clinic after reprocessing and sterilisation
  • Loop exhibits tissue remnants fixed in place
  • Risk of cross contamination even with thin lumen
  • Need to locate replacement instrument to complete procedure
  • Additional reprocessing costs

Risk of Disease



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“The abnormal proteins associated with prion diseases are very resistant to all conventional methods of decontamination.”

MHRA Device Bulletin August 2000(04) Single-use Medical Devices: Implications and Consequences of Reuse.

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Risks from vCJD

According to the CJD Surveillance Unit , to 6 March 2006, there have been 155 deaths from definite or probable vCJD and 6 cases are still alive.

CJD Surveillance Unit, Edinburgh, www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/figures

 

SOLUTION: - REPLACE WITH STERILE SINGLE-USE INSTRUMENTS

BENEFITS OF STERILE SINGLE USE INSTRUMENTS


Welsh Gov stats.

Intensive Care can cost £1,200 per day, Cardiac & high dependency units approx. £500 per day.
Harvard written answers June 2005

Cost of Litigation -- Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST)

For the 2004/5 year, approximately £410 million is being collected from NHS Trusts and PCTs to pay
for settlements made on clinical negligence claims during that time.

Value of Risk Management Discounts (RMDs)

Level 1

10% Reduction in Trust Contribution

Level 2

20% Reduction

Level 3

30% Reduction

"These reductions are well worth having, not only for this year, but also for subsequent years.
Any investment in achieving these standards could be repaid many times over in the future."

Extracts from an article in Issue 28 of the NHSLA Review by Joe Monk, a Partner at Lane Clark & Peacock LLP)

 

SOLUTION: - REPLACE WITH STERILE SINGLE-USE INSTRUMENTS