Blood, Tissue, And Other Biological Debris Are Removed From Reprocessed Medical Devices

 

Reprocessed Medical Devices

Increasing hospital expenditures on medical devices, as well as the high amount of medical waste produced in day-to-day practises, are a major burden globally. To address this issue, the medical device industry and healthcare providers are focusing on reprocessing medical devices as an alternative solution to both challenges. Increased use of reprocessed medical devices is attributed to a variety of factors, including hospital cost savings, low cost availability of reprocessed devices, and environmental benefits from reduced medical waste.

Significant economic and environmental benefits associated with reprocessed medical devices are expected to drive market growth over the forecast period. For example, a study conducted in 2017 by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) examined medical waste and expenditure on such products. The study was conducted at the Department of Plastic Surgery at Portsmouth's Queen Alexandra Hospital for five days and collected data on products such as dressings, sutures, and surgical instruments that had been opened but remained unused. The cost was approximately US$ 8,915.92 per week, which was extrapolated to a year.

The reprocessed medical devices is to growing due to cost effectiveness, equivalent performance to original devices, warranty, and availability of sources. For example, according to USITC (United States International Trade Commission) statistics, reprocessed device production increased by 12% between 2009 and 2011. This is also due to a large number of medical device remanufacturers expanding their production capacity during this time period. The 2008-2009 recession was a driving factor behind this growth, as many patients lost their medical insurance during this time period, affecting device reimbursement and, as a result, the adoption of cost-effective devices.

According to Coherent Market Insights, The global Reprocessed Medical Devices Market is estimated to be US$ 1,840.6 million in 2019, and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 20.4% over the forecast period (2020-2027).

EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards continues to review and revise the hospital medical infectious waste incinerator (HMIWI) standards as required most recently in May 2013. Furthermore, the cardiovascular devices segment is expected to hold a dominant position in the market over the forecast period, owing to product price reductions, increased pressure on hospital authorities to reduce healthcare expenditure, and increased focus on environmental protection by reducing medical waste dumping.

The increased emphasis on environmental protection by reducing medical waste dumped in landfills is expected for growth in reprocessed medical devices. Before 1997, more than 90% of potentially infectious medical waste was incinerated. Due to significant concerns about harmful air quality affecting human health, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated regulations establishing stringent emission standards for medical waste incinerators in August 1997.