A Cross-Sectional Survey on Management and Processing Practices for Loaner Surgical Instruments and Implants Among 861 Hospitals in China

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the current status of the management and processing of loaner surgical instruments and implants in healthcare institutions across China and to provide evidence for standardizing practices in this field.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2024 using a self-administered questionnaire developed based on industry standards, clinical guidelines, and a literature review. The survey was distributed via a questionnaire platform Wenjuanxing to central sterile supply department (CSSD) in secondary and tertiary hospitals in China.ResultsValid responses were collected from 861 hospitals across 18 provinces. Significant disparities were observed between tertiary and secondary hospitals across multiple domains (P<0.05). In management, differences were noted in the clinical departments using loaner instruments, the provision of handover forms by suppliers, the frequency of organized training, the assignment of dedicated CSSD personnel/position for loaner instruments, and the establishment of departmental-level management systems. During handover, disparities existed in the availability of an independent receiving area, the use of information traceability systems, the presence of a dedicated loaner instrument module within those systems, the establishment of information-sharing platforms, the ability of the system to track instrument quantities, and the cleanliness of delivered instruments. For cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization, differences were found in compliance with manufacturer instructions, the use of validated washer-disinfector programs for loaner instruments, cleaning verification, the use of dedicated sterilization programs specific to loaner instruments, the basis for sterilization parameter selection, and the frequency of early instrument release. In post-use processing, variations were identified in preprocessing practices, the timeliness of instrument retrieval (within two days), the maintenance of return records, and the traceability of those records.ConclusionWhile the management and processing of loaner surgical instruments and implants in China show a trend toward standardization, significant gaps remain. There is a pressing need to strengthen dedicated staffing, establish independent processing zones, accelerate the implementation of comprehensive traceability systems, promote the use of validated cleaning and sterilization protocols, and improve post-use handling and return procedures.