Mr Roel Beltran Castillo1
1Southern NSW LHD, Australia
Biography:
District Manager for Southern LHD Sterilising Services, and 24 years' experience in both public and private healthcare settings. Reusable medical devices safe and effective reprocessing, standards compliance and sustainability initiatives leadership, with ongoing HDR on medical device reprocessing.
Abstract:
Introduction
Healthcare contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, with medical device lifecycle processes representing a substantial source of environmental impact. Reprocessing of reusable medical devices is a core function of infection prevention and control (IPC), critical to reducing contamination risk and preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), while offering opportunities to improve environmental sustainability.
This study aims to synthesise current evidence on the environmental, economic, and clinical outcomes of medical device reprocessing, with emphasis on infection prevention and control practice.
Methods
A structured narrative literature review was conducted using MEDLINE and Scopus databases, incorporating peer-reviewed publications and life cycle assessment (LCA) studies published between 2022 and 2025. Evidence was synthesised across environmental, economic, and clinical safety domains, with particular focus on sterile processing departments.
Results
Reprocessing reusable medical devices is associated with reduced lifecycle environmental impact compared to manufacturing new devices, with production identified as a major emissions contributor. Although sterilisation processes require water and energy, overall environmental benefits are maintained when devices undergo multiple validated reprocessing cycles.
From an IPC perspective, adherence to validated reprocessing protocols is essential to mitigate contamination risk and prevent HAIs. Evidence indicates no increase in adverse patient outcomes when standards are followed. Sterile processing departments are central to ensuring effective decontamination, sterility assurance, and safe reuse of medical devices.
Conclusion
Sustainable medical device reprocessing supports infection prevention outcomes while reducing environmental impact. Embedding sustainability into IPC practice represents a critical opportunity to enhance patient safety and resource stewardship. Further research is needed to standardise outcome measures and strengthen evidence.