Study examines safety, cost, and environmental tradeoffs of re-using versus discarding medical devices

ECRI assessed evidence surrounding single-use vs. reprocessed medical devices in hospitals

WILLOW GROVE, Pa., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- One way healthcare providers attempt to reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) is to discard medical devices following use rather than disinfect and reuse them – but this practice carries significant cost and environmental implications. ECRI, a global healthcare and patient safety nonprofit, released a series of assessments analyzing the evidence surrounding single use versus reused or reprocessed medical devices in hospital settings.

The research was conducted by the ECRI-Penn Evidence-based Practice Center and involved a systematic literature review of more than 2,000 studies, primarily focused on devices used for HAI prevention such as hospital gowns, and bedside care devices including laryngoscopes. The research also includes other types of scopes and surgical items.

Each assessment report includes a chart that indicates whether the available evidence supports singe use, reuse, or is inconclusive—across clinical, economic, and environmental categories. The findings emphasize that local factors such as infection rates, supplier agreements, reuse frequency, and reprocessing methods influence outcomes and should be considered.

Key Findings

• Clinical impact: Clinical outcomes sometimes favored single-use disposable devices depending on the specific device, particularly for infection rates.
• Economic considerations: Economic analyses of single-use versus reusable devices gave mixed findings, though in most categories, reusable devices are less costly.
• Environmental footprint: Environmental impact evidence often favored reused or reprocessed devices, as disposable devices are more harmful for the environment.

While single-use devices are often favored for infection prevention, the evidence supporting this is not consistent across all device types, and reusable options often present economic and environmental advantages. The research highlights the complex tradeoffs between clinical outcomes, economic costs, and environmental impact when choosing between single-use disposable and reusable or reprocessed medical devices.

Access Full Reports

The assessments, organized by device category, have been made publicly accessible and can be downloaded at this link. ECRI members can access the evidence assessments through ECRI's member portal.

"There's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to choosing between single-use and reusable medical devices," says ECRI's Director of Clinical Evidence Evan LeGault. "These assessments are designed to support hospitals, supply chain professionals, infection control teams, and sustainability officers in weighing the tradeoffs and identifying what works best for their organization."

Research Process & Evidence Gaps

ECRI searched for primary studies and systematic reviews comparing single-use and reused or reprocessed medical devices for in-hospital use. The systematic literature search captured publications from 1/1/2010 to 1/6/2025 and identified 2,133 citations to screen, ultimately yielding 48 studies in 21 device categories.

Substantial gaps exist in the current evidence base, with clinical outcomes and economic costs reported far less frequently than environmental impact, and most of the 21 device categories were examined by few studies. In the absence of strong direction from clinical or economic evidence, environmental impacts may become a deciding factor.

This study highlights the need for further research as well as increased transparency from manufacturers, reprocessing companies, and healthcare institutions.

Disclaimer and Funding Support: This was funded under contract number 75Q80120D00002 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The authors of this manuscript are responsible for its content. Statements in the manuscript do not necessarily represent the official views of or imply endorsement by AHRQ or HHS. This publication is derived from work supported under a contract with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) contract 75Q80120D00002 / Task Order 75Q80124F32008. However, this publication has not been approved by the Agency. 

About ECRI

ECRI is an independent, nonprofit organization improving the safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of care across all healthcare settings. With a focus on technology evaluation and safety, ECRI is respected and trusted by healthcare leaders and agencies worldwide. For more than fifty-five years, ECRI has built its reputation on integrity and disciplined rigor, with an unwavering commitment to independence and strict conflict-of-interest rules. ECRI is the only organization worldwide to conduct independent medical device evaluations, with labs located in North America and Asia Pacific. ECRI is designated an Evidence-based Practice Center by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and a federally certified Patient Safety Organization by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ECRI acquired The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) in 2020 to address one of the most prolific causes of preventable harm in healthcare, medication errors; then acquired The Just Culture Company in 2024 to transform healthcare workplace cultures – thus creating one of the largest healthcare quality and safety entities in the world. Visit www.ecri.org to learn more.

SOURCE ECRI