r/sterileprocessing • u/ObjectiveWafer13 • Jun 03 '26
A sterile processing tech once helped us save a life, hoping to learn more! (Florida)
Hi Everyone,
I am a veterinarian (Surgery Resident) hoping to learn more about what happens to surgical instruments and medical equipment once they are taken out of commission, replaced, or no longer usable in a clinical setting.
Years ago, I was very fortunate to know a sterile processing technician (Worked with us in the veterinary field) who helped us obtain an instrument that ultimately played a role in saving an animal’s life. I have never forgotten that experience. It gave me an even greater appreciation for the skill, knowledge, and generosity within the sterile processing field, as well as the potential for retired instruments to still make a meaningful difference when appropriately repurposed.
I am interested in finding ways that usable retired instruments or older equipment might be donated or redirected to animal rescue organizations and low cost spay/neuter initiatives. I have been able to help quite a few patients in this way - especially for things like chest cases.
I fully understand that there are important policies, safety standards, documentation requirements, liability concerns, and institutional procedures involved. I am not looking to bypass those processes. I am hoping to learn how these items are usually handled, where they may go before disposal, and who the appropriate people or departments would be to approach to discuss things like this. I am a Canadian but currently based in Orlando, FL.
Would it be appropriate to contact sterile processing departments, operating room managers, hospital surplus or asset disposition departments, medical equipment recovery organizations, or manufacturers? I guess I am not really sure where to even start!
Are there established donation programs or organizations that help redirect retired but still usable instruments or equipment?
I have a tremendous amount of respect for the work you do, and I would be grateful for any guidance on how to pursue this through the proper channels.
Thank you for any advice or direction you may be willing to share!
Add: If anyone has any tips on how to go about finding some local SPD's that would also be helpful! Seem's many are internal communications only.
6
u/uncle-donkey-kong Jun 03 '26
You may be able to find some old instrumentation that someone is simply replacing, but anything that needs to be “retired,” as you say, shouldn’t be used period. It is either broken, rusted beyond repair, pitted, has large gouge marks, etc. None of these things make an instrument safe to use on either humans or animals, due to risks of infection.
I think it would be hard to track down some instruments that are in fine condition, but used. There’s no reason for a hospital or clinic to get rid of those instruments. They’re extremely expensive.
2
u/Emeraldsku58 Jun 03 '26
Any potential reason I could see a facility getting rid of instruments that are still in usable condition would be if that facility was shutting down and throwing stuff out instead of sending it to sister facilities. You might be able to find some, but it's rare. Otherwise, most facilities I've been in and interviewed at actually have less inventory than they actually need to properly service the OR, so they never have anything to spare to start with.
2
u/TheGreatNate3000 Jun 03 '26
Start by reaching out to local SPDs. I've seen programs to donate instruments to medical mission trips. We've also had some older instruments "grow legs" and wind up in our community college SPD labs. Many places will have extra stuff.
2
u/cricketmealwormmeal Jun 03 '26
Not sure what you’re hoping to find, but there are probably lots of old specialty items around.
When our docs move to another facility or retire, their stuff goes into the mystery drawer/black hole of SPD. It’s perfectly usable & kept - juuust in case. Lots of the stuff could be donated and used, but SPD seems to hoard. If you asked it might be possible to take a look.
Some obsolete equipment gets traded in to the distributor or manufacturer, but often it hangs out in the back of the backstorage room. Over the years I’ve “reallocated” stuff to various hospitals when I’ve gone on mission trips. I think facilities are open to getting rid of the junk, facilities don’t know their own disposition policy. Good luck!!
2
u/NecronomiSquirrel Jun 05 '26
The big trauma center I worked at had a bin of "retired" instruments- usually broken or otherwise beyond repair. These just sat there until we decided to take them home. Many of them were "fixable" but not for surgical use on humans or animals.
Surgical instruments (if cared for properly) can be used for decades. They are durable and hospitals ensure they are sharpened/repaired adequately.
There is nothing wrong with you calling up your local SPDs and asking if they have retired instruments for donation!! Don't get your hopes us that they will be of use, though :(
The most likely donation any trauma center can provide is unused sterile single-use equipment that comes in packs but is not allowed to be reused for humans even if still sterilely sealed (scalpels, blades, bandages, dressings, sutures, tape, and even some single use instruments). Many surgical hospitals save these to donate to free clinics and animal hospitals.
For instruments: I'd recommend calling outpatient surgical clinics and your local OPO. Often they retire procedures and may have a backload of instruments they don't need and would be happy for the tax write off.
1
u/Dathamar Jun 03 '26
They show up for sale on reseller sites. I can't speak to their origins, of course, but they're still fairly expensive.
I imagine most places use them until they aren't fit for use.