Reuse of single use items in minimal access surgery.

UK Government guidelines state that single use instruments, including those used in minimal access surgery, should not be reprocessed because of the risk of-patient injury. In order to determine the incidence of this practice in minimal access surgery a questionnaire was issued to all participants of an Advanced Laparoscopy for Theatre Personnel course between 1994 and 1996. There was a 55% response rate. 27% of respondents had resterilised an instrument within the past year. More senior nurses resterilised more often and the request was usually made by Senior Registrars and Consultants, 52% of resterilised instruments were used with diathermy, the commonest being scissors. The practice was almost exclusive to the NHS. Since the course 44% of respondents have changed their practice. These results have implications for patient safety, staff indemnity, education and training for nurses and surgeons involved in minimal access surgery.