Table 4 Summary of respondents’ preferences and knowledge regarding use of reusable and disposable medical devices
Preferences and knowledge on reusable and disposable medical devices | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical Students % (N) | Nursing Students % (N) | Physician Assistant Students % (N) | Combined Students % (N) | |
Medical device preference | ||||
Prefer or strongly prefer reusable | 52.2 (84) | 64.2 (34) | 67.4 (31) | 57.3 (149) |
No preference | 26.1 (42) | 13.2 (7) | 21.7 (10) | 22.7 (59) |
Prefer or strongly prefer disposable | 21.7 (35) | 22.6 (12) | 10.9 (5) | 20.0 (52) |
(Question N = 161) | (Question N = 53) | (Question N = 46) | (Question N = 260) | |
Ranked #1 in preference determination | ||||
Infection control | 53.4 (86) | 52.8 (28) | 54.4 (25) | 53.5 (139) |
What’s available in my institution | 33.5 (54) | 16.9 (9) | 28.3 (13) | 29.2 (76) |
Environmental sustainability | 4.9 (8) | 11.3 (6) | 10.9 (5) | 7.3 (19) |
Habit | 4.4 (7) | 15.1 (8) | 2.2 (1) | 6.2 (16) |
Concern for cost | 3.7 (6) (Question N = 161) | 3.8 (2) (Question N = 53) | 4.4 (2) (Question N = 46) | 3.9 (10) (Question N = 260) |
There is strong evidence that use of single-use disposable medical devices meaningfully reduces infection risk. | ||||
Agree or strongly agree | 43.1 (69) (Question N = 160) | 50.9 (27) (Question N = 53) | 34.8 (16) (Question N = 46) | 43.2 (112) (Question N = 259) |