From: Harry King [polsonrns@montana.com]
Sent: Friday, September 06, 2002 6:55 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: opened-unused single use devices

I would like to comment that our facility has a policy stating that 
opened, unused single use devices may be repackaged and resterilized in 
our central processing dept. if the item appears that it  can withstand 
steam sterilization.  This would apply to metal saw blades and burrs and 
a few other items.  Any item that appears to contain non-metal parts is 
not considered, as we dont have any other method of sterilization.  
Items that were placed on the sterile field are also not considered as 
they may have been inadvertently contaminated with body fluids.  We find 
that mainly we are resterilizing a few items that were dropped or opened 
by mistake, or the packaging has an expiration date that has lapsed. 
 All other items we send to a third-party reprocessor.
Lynn King