Hospitals urged to check health of instruments

Research involving more than 20 NHS hospitals over the last two years has revealed that only 61% of instruments were fit for purpose with 11% needing immediate replacement. A further eight per cent of instruments such as clamps, forceps, needle holders and scissors required repair and the remaining fifth needed refurbishment to get them back to a working standard.

Mark Storr from B. Braun Medical said: “This is very worrying research. If the results are replicated across the country then we have a large number of surgical instruments which should be replaced immediately but which are still being used in operations which can present an increased risk of complications and infection.”

The company currently offers hospitals a one-week snap shot survey of the state of their surgical instruments.