The FDA recently announced an initiative to improve reusable medical device reprocessing, the process of cleaning and disinfecting a device for use with more than one patient. Improper reprocessing of reusable medical devices can lead to Health care-Associated Infections (HAIs). Medical Design Briefs will explore this issue further in a feature article on "Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization Validations: Considerations in Reusable Device Design," contributed by Pacific BioLabs. Look for it in January!

The FDA has announced that it will tackle this issue from a number of vantage points. For one, it is identifying innovative design features that facilitate cleaning, sterilization, and disinfection and reduce the likelihood of retaining debris. Secondly, researchers are exploring the science between device design and debris accumulation and retention over multiple cycles of soiling and cleaning, which could lead to the development of more accurate test methods.

The agency also hopes to foster collaboration among health care facilities, manufacturers, and other agencies to find solutions to problems that affect users of reusable medical devices. The FDA is currently collaborating with the University of Michigan to increase the effectiveness of manufacturer instructions for proper reprocessing of reusable medical devices.

Learn more details about the FDA's plans here , and don't forget to watch out for the feature article on validation considerations for reusable devices in the January issue of Medical Design Briefs.