IAHCSMM Statement on Opened But Unused Single-Use Medical Devices

It is the The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) position that opened but unused single-use medical devices should be considered contaminated and as such should be discarded.  If a healthcare facility chooses the reprocessing of such devices, it is the IAHCSMM position that the reprocessing should be accomplished by a third-party reprocessing company registered with the FDA. 

This position is in line with the original IAHCSMM Position Paper on the Reuse of Single-Use Medical Devices  which provides the rationale for why IAHCSMM discourages the practice of healthcare facilities becoming involved in the reprocessing of single-use medical devices and does not recommend it.  The original Position Paper also provides criteria for the choice of a third-party reprocessing company.

Source: IAHCSMM