Reusable biopsy forceps: a cost-effective measure for the endoscopy suite.

Some healthcare practitioners have recommended the use of disposable medical accessories as standard practice. Advantages of using disposable medical equipment include the potential for infection prevention, convenience, and decreased reprocessing and storage costs. Disadvantages of reusable accessories include the initial cost, "down time" required for repair and, most importantly, the potential for spreading infection. In this study, the investigators provide a cost analysis of reusable biopsy forceps for a 12-month period from April 1993 through March 1994. This prospective, descriptive study evaluated purchase price, number of uses, repair history, and cleaning costs for reusable biopsy forceps used in the endoscopy unit of a large multi-specialty clinic. Results of the study revealed that the reusable biopsy forceps became cost-effective after seven uses.