Single use versus reuse of endoscopy biopsy forceps: A survey of patient preference.
BACKGROUND Although there are no confirmatory data on this, we suspect that most endoscopy centres in India reuse single use 'disposable' endoscopic biopsy forceps due to the cost of these forceps and the perceived low risk of infection transmission on reuse. Low cost single use biopsy forceps are now available in India, bringing into question the justification for such a practice. We aimed to determine the type of forceps (single use or reused) patients would prefer during endoscopy for themselves, whether this is dependent on cost, and what cost would be acceptable to them. METHODS Among patients (conveniently selected from indoor or outdoor) reporting for endoscopy at the division of gastroenterology at a private tertiary level hospital, we distributed an information sheet about the survey 30 45 minutes before the procedure. After they completed reading the sheet, an endoscopy nurse and/or doctor explained the study. The patient then completed a questionnaire of multiple choices with tick boxes. RESULTS Of 151 patients approached, 4 declined to participate. Of 147 patients surveyed (age range 16 83 years; 82 men) 127 (86.4% preferred single use forceps, 16 (10.9% preferred reused forceps, and 4 (2.7% could not decide and left the decision to the physician. When informed that single use forceps may be available for about Rs1000 (approximately US$ 15) 131 patients (89.1% preferred these forceps, 11 (7.4% preferred reused forceps, and 5 (3.4% could not decide. Forty four patients (33.1% stated that an acceptable cost for a forceps for them would be Rs500 (approximately US$ 8) for 65 patients (48.9% patients it was Rs1000, and for 24 (18.1% it was Rs1500. CONCLUSION About 90% of patients in this survey preferred single use forceps; a cost of Rs1000 for single use forceps was acceptable to over two thirds of them.
The National medical journal of India