Reusable vs Disposable Electrosurgical Cords

Reusable vs. Disposable Electrosurgical Cords

There are several factors to consider when choosing between Reusable versus Disposable Monopolar and Bipolar Cords commonly used in minimally invasive procedures. There is not one-size-fits-all approach, so it is up to the user to select the cord appropriate to their needs, and the directives of the facility.?Here are just a few things to consider:

Cleaning & Sterilization:

Single use items are used once and disposed of, requiring no cleaning, inspection, or reprocessing.

Reusable items must be cleaned, inspected, and sterilized, according to mfg. recommendations.?This involves costs including prep-and-pack consumables, sterilization/chemicals, inspection, labor, etc.

Number of Uses:

Single-use items can only be used once, then disposed of.

Reusable cords can be used 50 times, or more, providing the cord is handled properly, inspected, and shows no signs of defect such as tears or kinks in the cord sheathing, pulling away of the cord ends, or visible degradation from multiple reprocessing cycles.

Tracking the number of uses may be required by the facility in some cases.

Cords should be inspected after each use, and removed from use any time a cut, tear, pulled ends, kinks, visible wear, bent connectors are identified.

TIP: It is recommended to perform regular continuity testing of monopolar and bipolar cords using a continuity tester like https://capitalmedicalresources.com/online-store/ols/products/jac-cell-insulation-continuity-tester-kit-ati-014afc

Infection Control Level:

Items that come in contact with patient tissue, such as surgical instrumentation, require a higher level of infection control, whereas sterile single-use items may be preferred. Electrosurgical cords are considered non-invasive, and generally do not contact patient tissue so they pose a low infect risk if sterilized and reprocessed properly.

Cost Comparison:

The initial Cost of Goods + added expenses should be considered.?(In the examples below we are using Capital Medical Resources LLC 600-100 Monopolar Single Use and 600-200 Monopolar Reusable cord pricing, and the example of $1,000 Surgical Procedures.)

CMR 600-100 DISPOSABLE Monopolar Cord Example: For 1,000 Surgical Procedures

Cords 10 per box = 100 boxes needed

100 x $145.00 per box = $14,500.00

$14,500.00 / 1000 procedures - $14.50 per procedure

+ Added expense of waste removal fees, storage expense, etc.

CMR 600-200 REUSABLE Monopolar Cord Example:?1,000 Surgical Procedures

Cord used *50 times = 20 cords needed??

20 cords x $168 each = $3360.00

$3360.00 / 1000 procedures = $3.36 per procedure

+ Added reprocessing fees including: labor, inspection, prep-and-pack consumables, sterilization, inspection, etc.)

*Estimated based on average of 50 uses per cord.?Could be more, or less, depending upon handling

Stock on Hand:

Facilities that perform a large number of cases, with short OR turnover, must have adequate inventory at all times.?

Reusable cords require reprocessing and may not be turned over quickly enough in SPD to keep up with high-volume demands unless adequate inventory is maintained. ?Surgical Delays may occur if cords are missing, damaged or delayed.

Environmental Factors:

Single Use items contribute to landfill waste and waste disposal costs.

Reprocessing of reusable instruments involve costs for labor, inspection, testing and sterilization materials costs.

Balancing the environmental impact of the sterilization process versus environmental cost of waste disposal should be considered, as well as your facility directives on this topic.

Human / Other Factors:

Hospitals switching from disposable to reusable cords may find that cords may be accidentally thrown away.

There is a risk for burns or surgical fires if damaged/faulty reusable cords are not removed from the surgical tray.

Disposable cords have an expiration date.?CMR cords have a 3-4 year shelf life. ?Shelf life / Expiration dates should be taken into consideration if not using regularly.?

Reliability and Quality between disposable versus reusable may be subjective.?Some users may feel that the heavier weighed reusable cords are more durable and are of higher-quality, although reusable cords may have a higher failure rate that can create surgical delays if back ups are not available.?The reliability of a brand new single-use cord may be preferred by some.

#electrosurgicalcords #patientsafety

Questions, or for more information, please contact Capital Medical Resources LLC at 614-389-1334 or [email protected].?You can shop or visit us on the web at www.capitalmedicalresources.??