Sanitary control about reuse of single-use medical devices: a case study

Introduction: The reuse of single-use medical devices is a global reality and involves technical, ethical, economic, and environmental issues. Objective: To analyze the sanitary control of the reuse of single-use devices exercised by health surveillances (Visa) in some Brazilian states in Brazil. Method: Descriptive study of multiple cases, consisting of health surveillances of some Brazilian states, which agreed to participate in the study. Results: The surveillances studied do not plan the sanitary control actions of health services, nor the reuse of single-use products; nor do they use any method of evaluating these practices and specific training of their professionals. They are unaware of the situation of the reuse of single-use products in large hospitals in their respective states. Conclusions: Data indicate that the reuse of single-use products has implications for the sanitary control to be exercised by the State and that the relevance of the problem requires planning, systematization and monitoring actions, as well as qualification of health surveillance professionals for the effective prevention of damage related to the reuse of these devices.