Expired Endo Machanical Supplies

[doc7592]

What do you do with your expired supplies ie;ethicon, Autosuture...etc?:confused:

[jrc]

We box it up and send it out to a missions organization. I record what we give away, total up its value, and submit it to administration for inclusion into our annual community impact report. We use that as a means of justifying our tax-exempt status to the IRS.

[bills]

Our Endo Machanical Supplies are reprocessed thru Ascent Medical. We try to use them when ever possible, Usualy just the endoscissors and some of the trocars. We have reprocessing bins in all of our O.R. Rooms. so if the items can not be reprocessed, Ascent discards them for us and that cuts down on the cost of hospital waste. Also all of the other products that we have that expire, we cost out and collect the items and give them to our Tech School for training. (even if a student learns how to open and pass on a sterile field the products serves a purpose). When I was in Ohio we use to do the same only we gave the product to North Eastern Ohio College Of Medicine (NEOCOM). We also can write off the cost on our Taxes at the end of the year.

[safetymaven]

Hi Bills
I have a concern with keeping the reprocessing bins in the individual ORs. Even if all you are putting in is open/unused items, there is a potential for exposure to splashing of fluids etc. rendering these items contaminated.

In my previous institution we processed used endomechanicals as well and even with cleaning felt it an infection control risk to keep the bins in the operating room. We moved the bins to the utility room and this did mean more steps but staff felt better about it and our reprocessor could get to the bins easier as well.
my 2cents worth
jen

[cpdguy]

You have a few options in my view.

Because they are still unused an not opened you have a few opions.

One has already been shared and that is a good option.
Here are a few more.

If you use a third party reprocessor you can contact them and see if they will re-sterilize the items. Then you can use them and put in your inventory.

Next their are companies that buy unused items, and you can re-sale to them. They then re-sterilize them and sell them to other parts of the world.

Last is and i think this is one of the better options. Work with that specific company on returning them. Ask them, you might be suprised on how they will help you. Many of these items even though they have not been used can be returned for credit maybe not 100% but can returned for other products. Do not rule that out. With these products many of the sales team for this company should have been helping you monitor your inventory, so you do not get outdates. It is not in thier best interest to have you get outdates. Work with your local rep. Put some pressure on them. IF they are worth thier "salt" to say they will help you get some value for these products.

It does not hurt to ask and even if your local rep states they can not do it. Ask for their boss name, do not stop at the first no. I returned one time $20,000 of Autosuture product,I got 65% value for it , all outdated. I went up the "food" chain of managers but got it done. It was a little embarsing for me to have that much out date but, i got some value back into my budget. I know it can be done.

Just my two cents.

Good Lcuk

[doc7592]

Thanks CPDGUY