Who doesn’t love that awesome feeling you get when you spot a great deal? You’ve been buying something expensive, name-brand; but then you see that the store brand will save you almost a dollar. What a steal! You put that more expensive version back on the shelf and grab the cheaper, store brand model.
The problem usually arises about two seconds after you open up the product at home. You notice that, while the packaging states that the contents are the same as the name brand, there’s a marked difference. Slightly disappointed, you note that it doesn’t look or feel the same. But you press on because, “Who cares?” and you begin to use the product for its intended purpose. Your heart sinks. This is nothing like the name-brand. Whatever the product, you need two or three times as much of it to accomplish the task at hand. And sometimes it won’t even do that.
Now you realize that you’ve been had. Not only did you waste money on this product, but you’re going to have to go back to the store soon (sooner than you’d hoped) to buy the name-brand product you should have bought in the first place.
We’ve all been there.
When it comes to medical devices and the products needed for reprocessing transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) ultrasound probes, the same thing can happen. But instead of throwing away a few dollars, thousands of dollars can be at stake.
To some, purchasing TD-5®, TD-8®, or TD-12® AquaCide® for high-level disinfection can seem like a pretty steep price. Wouldn’t a generic brand of glutaraldehyde, ortho-phthalaldehyde, or peracetic acid do just as well and save money? What isn’t being taken into consideration is the fact that these products are especially made for use with CS Medical’s automated TEE probe reprocessors. And, not only that, but these are made with high-quality ingredients that have been tried and tested to meet the very precise specifications needed to attain high-level disinfection of TEE probes in our automated reprocessors.
When a generic form of high-level disinfectant is used, there can be two very serious and costly consequences.
First, there is the risk that the replacement disinfectant will not be compatible with the TEE ultrasound probes being high-level disinfected. CS Medical’s disinfectants have been tested for material compatibility with all of the major TEE probe manufacturers’ probes. If the generic brand has not been tested under the proper conditions in conjunction with the proper device and TEE probe, compatibility cannot be guaranteed. This could result in permanent damage to the probe leading to very costly repairs or replacement of up to tens of thousands of dollars. Spending that little bit extra for the CS Medical brand could prevent such damage from ever occurring.
Second, using an off-brand high-level disinfectant can result in a TEE probe that has not been properly high-level disinfected. This may mean that harmful bacteria is left on the probe. If this happens, the next patient will be exposed to the potentially harmful bacteria. This could mean infection or illness to the patient or, if the patient is immunocompromised, could result in a life-threatening situation. Not only could this result in higher costs for the facility which will have to cover the expense of extra care for the patient, but could result in higher costs from a lawsuit. Worst of all, if a soiled probe transmits an HAI to an immunocompromised patient, this could result in that patient’s death.
While finding a deal can give you a boost in the moment, you know from experience that it can leave you with a bad taste in your mouth. Don’t make that mistake with high-level disinfectant. It may cost a little extra up-front, but it will save you money and time in the long run; it may even save a life.
