Use of Reprocessed External Fixators in Orthopaedic Surgery: a Survey of 243 Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeons

The latest research as published in Patient Safety in Surgery (2018) addresses “Use of Reprocessed External Fixators in Orthopaedic Surgery: a Survey of 243 Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeons.”  The article, written by Johns Hopkins University researchers, conclude that

Many orthopaedic traumatologists are interested in the reprocessing of EF components but few have reprocessing systems in place at their institutions. A major barrier to implementation is concern about litigation, which is likely unwarranted on the basis of Food and Drug Administration approval and a lack of previous litigation. Reprocessing by the original device manufacturers has yielded substantial savings at our institution and is an example of the cost savings that can be expected when implementing an EF reprocessing system.

Journal available here.