• Reprocessing single-use devices (SUDs) can save U.S. hospitals over $412 million annually while reducing environmental impact.
• Cardiovascular reprocessing, particularly in Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) procedures, cuts costs by nearly 30% without compromising patient safety.
• A new partnership between Cardinal Health and Innovative Health enhances cardiology device reprocessing, providing hospitals with significant financial and environmental benefits.

U.S. hospitals are adopting medical device reprocessing as a key strategy to cut costs, reduce waste, and minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Cardinal Health’s Sustainable Technologies™ division is leading this shift, offering single-use device (SUD) collections and reprocessing services. In 2021, hospitals saved over $412 million through these efforts, according to the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors.

Reprocessing and the Circular Economy

“With patient safety at the forefront, leveraging a single-use device reprocessing program helps hospitals properly extend the life of a medical device and contribute to a stronger circular economy,” said Meg McClanahan, Global Portfolio Director of Sustainable Technologies. The healthcare sector, a major contributor to waste, is increasingly focused on sustainability, aiming to reduce its projected six gigatons of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Historically, the sector relied on a linear model, prioritizing single-use devices for infection control. However, advancements in reprocessing technology now allow many of these devices to be safely reused, drastically cutting down waste.

“Over the last 20 years, reprocessed devices have been proven to function equivalent to new devices and represent no additional patient risk – thanks to strict oversight and additional regulations put in place by the FDA,” McClanahan added.

Cost-Effective Cardiology Reprocessing

The cardiology sector is seeing rapid growth in procedures like Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) treatments, which are costly due to the advanced devices used. Reprocessing these devices offers substantial savings. Using reprocessed SUDs in AFib procedures can reduce costs by nearly 30%, translating to over $3,000 in savings per procedure.

To enhance their cardiology offerings, Cardinal Health’s Sustainable Technologies has partnered with Innovative Health, a leader in the reprocessing of cardiology devices. “The success and reputation of Sustainable Technologies in the reprocessing industry demonstrates Cardinal Health’s commitment to doing the right thing for patients, hospitals and the environment,” said Rick Ferreira, CEO of Innovative Health. This collaboration expands Sustainable Technologies’ portfolio, including nearly 50 FDA-cleared cardiology devices, and opens up new savings opportunities for hospitals.

Expanding Reprocessing Capabilities

Innovative Health, founded by reprocessing pioneers in 2015, aims to help electrophysiology labs reduce costs and adopt new technologies. McClanahan noted, “Working with an industry leader like Innovative Health represents a significant strengthening of our reprocessing offering and our ability to drive cost savings. Innovative Health has built the industry’s strongest portfolio in cardiology device reprocessing.”

Hospitals enrolled in this partnership can now access a comprehensive portfolio of reprocessed cardiology devices, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Healthcare Future

As members of the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors, both Sustainable Technologies and Innovative Health advocate for the growth and standardization of reprocessing practices. “At Cardinal Health, we believe that reprocessing will be increasingly important to healthcare customers to help reduce costs and drive sustainability goals, so it’s a real win-win,” said Megan Maltenfort, Vice President of Environmental, Social, and Governance at Cardinal Health.

Cardinal Health’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and cost-efficiency aims to position it as the most trusted partner in healthcare, offering robust solutions to meet the evolving needs of hospitals and patients.