1. What is the decision or change (e.g., clinical topic, practice guideline, system design, delivery of care you are facing or struggling with where a summary of the evidence would be helpful?
The Healthcare industry creates a tremendous amount of physical waste, the large majority of which is not hazardous or infectious. A significant source of this waste is the use and disposal of “single-use” products ranging from personal protective equipment such as gloves and gowns to medical devices and such as scopes and other surgical equipment.
Despite the “single-use” label, research indicates that reprocessing and reusing such products can reduce environmental impacts by limiting the resources and greenhouse gas emissions involved with production, transportation, and disposal. Reusing products can also result in cost savings over time, although initial purchase costs may be higher for products designed for reuse. Research on patient safety implications is limited, but generally suggests that reusables do not increase risks. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of disposables, but also revealed the fragility of the global supply chain and the dangers of healthcare systems relying on a constant supply of new, disposable goods.
2. Why are you struggling with this issue?
There is wide variation in healthcare systems’ use of reprocessing and reuse of medical products, but overall reprocessing and reuse remain low, especially for equipment labeled “single use.” Government regulations and medical society guidelines also vary considerably but tend to favor disposal over reuse. Perceptions regarding safety and pressure from the manufacturing industry are widely considered the primary barriers to increasing reuse and reducing waste. However, the evidence base for increased adoption of reuse is fragmented. In order to inform the development of responsible regulations, guidance, and practice, systematic and rigorous assessment of the current evidence on the patient safety, environmental impact,healthcare system resilience, and financial implications of single-use products is needed.
3. What do you want to see changed? How will you know that your issue is improving or has been addressed?
Many government guidelines regarding safe reprocessing and reuse are well over a decade old and may not reflect current research and practice. An updated review of the evidence base could spur revised regulations and guidance and improve confidence among health care systems and providers in reusables. Successful indicators would be increased adoption of reprocessing and reuse by the healthcare industry, reduced waste, no worsening in patient safety, and cost savings.
4. When do you need the evidence report?
Sunday, 12/31/2023
5. What will you do with the evidence report?
This report will help inform government and industry regulation, small and large health systems and guideline developers. It will also inform AHRQ and other research funders where additional research is needed.
There is not a definite deadline (the date cited above is approximate). A short-term scoping report would likely be most appropriate to identify the most promising areas for action and need for an evidence review as well as critical gaps to inform research priorities.
Optional Information About You
What is your role or perspective? Physician and researcher
If you are you making a suggestion on behalf of an organization, please state the name of the organization. Climate Change Workgroup, AHRQ
May we contact you if we have questions about your nomination? Yes
