What are two benefits of using disposable medical equipment for the patient?

Question

I am comparing the benefits of using disposable medical equipment as compared to reusing and sterilizing the same equipment for the patient using the new Third Eye Retroscope in conjunction with the standard colonoscopy.

Answer 1

1.  Reduce chance of spreading infection

2.  Less personnel and time required if products do not need to be cleaned, sterilized and wrapped.

3.  New products aren't worn out, whereas reusable products will eventually wear out or break and need ot be replaced or repaired.  Not a problem, unless the breakage occurs in the middle of a procedure.

Answer 2

1. Reduced risk of spreading infections from pt #1 to pt #2. This is not a big concern if the equipment in question can be autoclaved between each use. But for things that cannot be autoclaved, such as BP cuffs, stethoscopes, etc, it is really important to have one-pt-use materials.

2. I doubt there IS a #2. Disposable items are sometimes necessary, but they produce LOADS of waste, and since most waste from hospitals involve materials like blood, tissue, vomit, and poo, this is not waste that can be easily stored. It is much better for the environment to reduce and reuse whenever possible.