AMDR—Association of Medical Device Reprocessors

Join AMDR at CleanMed 2025! https://shorturl.at/VvVBt 📆 May 6-8, 2025  📍 The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta, GA CleanMed is the premier conference for health care sustainability, bringing together leaders, innovators, and advocates who are shaping the future of climate-smart health care. From reducing emissions to greening the OR, this is where the most impactful sustainability solutions are shared, and we thank our colleagues at Practice Greenhealth for organizing it every year. This year, don’t miss AMDR’s session featuring Dr. Ami Shah, who will break down why our reprocessing CO₂ calculator is a game changer for hospitals. Session: Are Single-Use Plastics Really Necessary for Infection Prevention? 🔹 Infection prevention policies are a major driver of health care waste.   Many single-use plastics are unnecessary for patient safety. 🔹 AMDR’s reprocessing CO₂ calculator helps hospitals quantify emissions reductions—a crucial step in reconciling sustainability with patient safety. 🔹 Let’s move beyond the single-use status quo. Join us at CleanMed 2025 to learn how reprocessing lowers costs, cuts emissions, and transforms hospital sustainability strategies. Register today! We’ll see you in Atlanta: https://shorturl.at/VvVBt #CleanMed2025 #Sustainability #Healthcare #SustainableHealthcare #Reprocessing #MedicalDevices #Innovation #Technology

This year marks 25 years of Daniel J. Vukelich, Esq.’s leadership as President & CEO of AMDR, and we’re reflecting on the many ways he has helped advance the reprocessing industry—including his frequent contributions to research confirming reprocessing's safety and benefits. A 2023 study, A Medical Equipment Lifecycle Framework to Improve Healthcare Policy and Sustainability, interviewed Dan and cited AMDR data to highlight reprocessing as a critical sustainability solution for healthcare: https://lnkd.in/g5uVY4Uf 📌 Key insights from Dan's contributions to the study: ✅ The rise of our industry—AMDR's member companies have grown considerably every year, as regulated reprocessing is increasingly recognized as a viable, sustainable solution. ✅ Environmental and economic benefits—AMDR’s data shows reprocessing can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in half, manufacturing resource use by 30%, and device costs by 40-50%. ✅ Overuse of “single-use” labels—Dan explains how misconceptions about the "single-use" label stem from outdated fears, despite regulatory pathways that ensure safe and effective reprocessing. For 25 years, Dan has championed reprocessing as a standard practice, and this study reinforces what he has always known: reprocessing works. It’s safe. And it’s essential for a more sustainable healthcare system. ♻️ Here’s to 25 years of impact—and many more ahead! Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/g5uVY4Uf #Sustainability #Healthcare #CircularEconomy #MedicalDevices #Reprocessing #Technology #Innovation #Law

Exciting news out of Catalonia: Bellvitge University Hospital (Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge) has partnered with with AMDR member Vanguard AG - Medical Remanufacturing to launch the region's first reprocessing program for electrophysiology catheters. 🔄 Impacts at a glance: ✅ Will reprocess up to 30% of 1,500–2,000 catheters used by the hospital annually ✅ Will reduce carbon footprint by 50% and raw material use by 28% ✅ Aligns with global best practices in Europe and beyond ✅ Reinforces leadership of AMDR members as the natural reprocessing partners of hospitals and surgical centers “[This reprocessing program] not only contributes to environmental sustainability, but also encourages responsible and efficient management of resources, aligned with the global objectives of reducing waste and emissions,” writes Ignasi Anguera Camós, MD, PhD, Director of the Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Unit of the Cardiology Service at Bellvitge. This circular economy model lowers healthcare costs, carbon, waste, and dependence on globalized manufacture and supply chains. AMDR applauds Bellvitge University Hospital for advancing down this path, and Vanguard AG - along with all of our member companies - for partnering with hospitals and surgical centers to promote patient and planetary health. #Healthcare #Sustainability #SustainableHealthcare #Innovation #Europe #Hospitals #CircularEconomy #Reprocessing

Germany Upholds CE Reprocessing - But Debacle Demonstrates Need for a Harmonized EU Framework The Bundesrat has voted to keep CE reprocessing ("remanufacturing" in Europe) legal in Germany, rejecting an "opt-out" from Article 17 of the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR). Thankfully, German lawmakers recognize reprocessing as safe, evidence-based, and essential for the sustainable transformation of healthcare. This is great news, but that this became an issue at all highlights the problem with Article 17’s “opt-in” system. Under Article 17, reprocessing is allowed in the EU only under the discretion of individual member states - a highly unusual and unnecessary provision, considering any CE-marked reprocessed device has met the EU's strict safety and efficacy requirements. While EU countries like Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, and others are embracing regulated reprocessing, others still face barriers due to fragmented national policies. A harmonized EU regulatory framework would ensure that all European health systems can benefit from the impressive economic, environmental, and logistical benefits of reprocessing, rather than leaving these decisions to individual states. AMDR continues to urge reforming the MDR towards coherent, EU-wide regulations over arbitrary national opt-ins and opt-outs. We thank AMDR member Vanguard AG - Medical Remanufacturing for their advocacy in Europe and the great reprocessing products they provide to the European health sector. #Sustainability #Healthcare #SustainableHealthcare #Reprocessing #CircularEconomy #MedicalDevices #Europe #Law

Federation of American Scientists Endorses Reprocessing, Calls for VHA to End Ban The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) added its voice to the growing call for healthcare to embrace medical device reprocessing - and, crucially, for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to overturn its outdated ban on the practice: https://lnkd.in/gqCsXA_S In a newly released policy memo, FAS cites AMDR data to highlight how reprocessing reduces costs, waste, and emissions while maintaining safety. Among its key recommendations: 🔹 The VHA should end its prohibition on reprocessed devices, aligning with FDA findings that they are safe and effective. 🔹 The FDA should take a stronger role in ensuring device labeling reflects reprocessing feasibility - not just manufacturer decisions. 🔹 The healthcare sector could save an additional $2.28 billion annually by expanding reprocessing programs. FAS is a highly respected voice in science and policy, we appreciate its recognition of reprocessing as a proven, practical solution. We thank the authors, Drs. Alexandra Melnyk and Amanda Artsen for their excellent work - with voices like these, we will ensure that policymakers and regulators act on this growing consensus. 📖 Read the full memo here: https://lnkd.in/gqCsXA_S #SustainableHealthcare #Healthcare #Reprocessing #CircularEconomy #MedicalDevices #VHA #Innovation #Law

Celebrating 25 Years of Reprocessing Regulations - and a Future of Growth  The latest AMDR Reprocessing Newsletter is here, and we’re kicking off 2025 by celebrating 25 years of FDA-regulated reprocessing - as well as 25 years of leadership from AMDR President Daniel J. Vukelich, Esq.:  https://lnkd.in/gMtN7Be5 This quarter’s highlights: 🔹 Growing momentum in Europe – EU states like Denmark and the Netherlands are expanding legal use reprocessed devices, and France may soon follow. AMDR continues pushing to reform Article 17 of the EU Medical Device Regulation to enable broader adoption. 🔹 Clinicians endorse reprocessing – New JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association articles call out healthcare’s “throwaway culture” and recommend reprocessing as a key sustainability solution. 🔹 Policy progress in the U.S. – Modern Healthcare spotlights reprocessing’s financial and environmental benefits, while the VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HEALTH CARE faces increasing pressure to overturn its wasteful ban. 🔹 AMDR members leading the way – From expanding reprocessing programs to contributing research, our members are driving real change. With growing support from hospitals, regulators, and clinicians, reprocessing is gaining recognition as an indispensable part of sustainable healthcare. 📩 Read the full newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/gMtN7Be5 If you would like to receive the latest updates on the regulated medical device reprocessing industry and its role in sustainable healthcare, please subscribe to AMDR's quarterly Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gCtbPyiC #Sustainability #Healthcare #SustainableHealthcare #Reprocessing #Innovation #Law

We are pleased to share a new whitepaper from major British insurer Bupa and Health Care Without Harm underscoring the urgent need to tackle the overuse of disposable medical products, particularly single-use plastics, across the global healthcare sector. Citing AMDR member data, the report highlights regulated device reprocessing as a key solution in this area. As case studies, the authors also spotlight AMDR members Stryker's Sustainability Solutions and Vanguard AG - Medical Remanufacturing, whose respective reprocessing partnerships with Health Canada | Santé Canada and Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust achieved major reductions in costs, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions for both health systems. The report also identifies several urgent legislative and regulatory barriers. For example, despite growing bans on single-use plastics worldwide, healthcare remains largely exempt from such regulations. The paper calls for fast-tracking approvals for sustainable products and aligning global policies to remove roadblocks to reprocessing. “Collaboration between manufacturers, healthcare providers, and supply chains is essential to accelerate sustainable practices in healthcare,” the report concludes. We agree, and we thank the authors for joining the growing chorus of voices in healthcare supporting reprocessing and singing our members' praises. #Bupa #SustainableHealthcare #HealthCareWithoutHarm #Healthcare #Sustainability #Innovation #Reprocessing

A new editorial published in the French publication Hygiènes concurs with the position of AMDR and the U.S. FDA (https://lnkd.in/ecvbcnYQ): the "single-use" designation on medical devices reflects a choice made by the manufacturer - often without clear, objective testing to justify it: https://lnkd.in/e7taQfpp The authors underscore that real-world evidence and regulated reprocessing ("remanufacturing" in Europe) demonstrate that many of these devices can be safely reused, and they call for greater use of reprocessed devices in healthcare. "The reprocessing of [SUDs could reconcile] pragmatism, environmental sustainability and patient safety," the authors write. "Let’s explore it." The editorial also highlights France’s shifting stance on reprocessing. Under growing pressure from healthcare professionals and clinical societies, the country is poised to launch a pilot program exploring reprocessing under the 2024 Social Security Financing Act. While the implementing decree is still pending, this marks a significant step toward aligning France with the broader European movement embracing regulated reprocessing as a cost-saving and circular alternative. We thank the authors Xavier Armoiry, CLAIRE GAILLARD, and Dominique GOEURY for contributing to this discussion. https://lnkd.in/e7taQfpp #Sustainability #SustainableHealthcare #Healthcare #Reprocessing #CircularEconomy #Law #Innovation

A new brief from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality underscores the impact of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) in evaluating healthcare’s environmental footprint - and highlights medical device reprocessing as a standout area of innovation:  https://lnkd.in/g25Rt-Kv The report cites extensive research, including contributions from AMDR member companies like Innovative Health LLC, Sustainable Technologies by Cardinal Health, and Vanguard AG - Medical Remanufacturing, as well as key studies by our colleague and research consultant Cassandra Thiel. The brief also calls for expanded LCA research into reprocessed devices and cites AMDR as a key resource for advancing this work. The consensus is clear: reprocessed devices significantly reduce cost, carbon emissions, and waste in healthcare supply chains while maintaining safety and performance. #Sustainability #Healthcare #SustainableHealthcare #Research #Reprocessing #CircularEconomy #MedicalDevices #Innovation

Thank you so much for hosting us for a great conversation, Cameron Craig, and congratulations on a great first season of the Sustainable Care #podcast!