Considerations for Switching to Disposable Equipment
Shutterstock image courtesy of ECRI
By Katherine Lunt, MPH, MBA, CIC
Healthcare organizations are continuously seeking ways to enhance patient safety, with infection prevention remaining a top priority. Simultaneously, there is growing awareness of the environmental impact of healthcare operations, particularly the significant volume of waste generated. As healthcare organizations explore the potential shift toward disposable equipment, it is essential to consider not only the infection control benefits but also the broader logistical, financial, and environmental implications. A balanced evaluation of these factors can help guide informed decision-making in an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.
Enhancing Infection Control
Correctly processed instruments, equipment, and devices are critical in both patient safety and infection control and prevention. Reusable devices require thorough cleaning followed by disinfection or sterilization, along with adherence to strict processing protocols. These instruments are used on multiple patients, which necessitates rigorous quality control to ensure patient safety. In contrast, single-use disposable devices are designed for one-time use and are discarded after each procedure, potentially reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
Reusable instruments require thorough cleaning, disinfection, sterilization between uses, clear workflows, and properly trained staff. While this process can be time-consuming and may be affected by human error or equipment issues, many facilities have established robust systems to manage these risks effectively, but challenges remain. Disposable equipment, designed for single use, eliminates the need for processing and may reduce the potential for cross-contamination, particularly in settings where sterile processing resources or
As healthcare organizations explore the potential shift toward disposable equipment, it is essential to consider not only the infection control benefits but also the broader logistical, financial, and environmental implications.”— Katherine Lunt, MPH, MBA, CIC
training may be limited. The choice between reusable and disposable instruments should be guided by a comprehensive assessment of infection prevention goals, staff expertise, and patient safety priorities. For example, a 2025 Clinical Evidence Assessment by ECRI found that for laryngoscopes used for intubation, clinical outcomes favored single-use devices. 1
Streamlining Logistics, Workflow, and Operations
From a logistical standpoint, disposable equipment simplifies operations significantly. Reusable instruments require a dedicated infrastructure for cleaning, sterilization, tracking, and storage. This includes specialized staff, ultrasonics, sterilizers, washers, other specialized equipment and strict adherence to manufacturer’ s instructions for use( IFU) and regulatory standards. These processes can create bottlenecks in clinical workflows, especially during peak hours, emergencies, or when there is insufficient inventory.
Switching to disposables removes many of these logistical requirements. With disposables, there would be no need for processing. As a result, staff would now be available to perform other clinical duties and the risk of delays due to unavailable or improperly sterilized instruments would be reduced. Inventory management also becomes more straightforward and manageable, as disposables can be stocked in standardized packages and easily replaced when used. Unused, duplicate reusable instruments would be eliminated. Reusable instruments that expire under time-related sterility would no longer need to be reprocessed.
However, some instruments may not be available as disposables. Healthcare organizations may consider designing a“ sterilization hub” for all sterilization purposes for reusable instruments and devices. In this scenario, healthcare organizations may enjoy the benefits of both disposable and reusable instruments.
Financial Considerations
Healthcare organizations need to analyze the financial considerations of switching from reusable instruments to disposable instruments. The cost of disposable equipment may be higher than reusable instruments, but the ongoing expenses related to processing, maintenance, repair, and eventual replacement of reusable instruments may potentially result in savings for healthcare organizations. Additionally, the labor costs associated with sterilization and the potential financial impact of HAIs due to improper cleaning must be considered.
Disposables require no maintenance, have none to minimal processing labor, and reduce the risk of infection-related complications that can lead to extended hospital stays or legal liabilities. When viewed through the lens of operational efficiency and risk mitigation, disposables may offer a more cost-effective solution over time, but it is imperative that healthcare facilities assess the financial impact of disposables. Building on the earlier example of laryngoscopes used for intubation: the economic costs and environmental impact
20 • www. healthcarehygienemagazine. com • sept-oct 2025