The Hidden Risks of Loaner Instruments: An Infection Prevention Perspective

Session Description: Loaner surgical instruments have become essential for supporting various specialized procedures, ever expanding service lines, and ensuring access to the latest and greatest devices available in current surgical technology. However, loaned instrumentation introduces significant infection prevention risks due to the complex of their handling logistics, high surgical case turnover expectations, and inconsistent reprocessing and preventative maintenance history. Despite these challenges, infection preventionists (IPs) are often left out of the loaner workflow entirely or are only brought in when something goes wrong and a patient has been exposed to contaminated instrumentation.
This session explores the hidden IP risks of loaner instrumentation and provides practical strategies to mitigate them. Topics include breakdowns in chain-of-custody, lack of documentation for initial decontamination, missing or inaccessible Instructions for Use (IFUs), time constraints that bypass standard workflows, and poor tracking of instrumentation movement and sterilization cycles. The presentation will also explore the regulatory and accreditation expectations related to loaner instruments and how organizations can align with best practices and standards, such as those delineated by The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).
Through real-world scenarios and lessons learned, participants will examine how to identify risk points in the loaner process and advocate for IP involvement in vendor agreements, case planning, and quality assurance. Attendees will also receive a sample loaner instrument standard of work, guidance on interdepartmental communication, and steps to support vendor accountability.
By elevating the IP’s role in loaner instrument management, healthcare facilities can close dangerous gaps in surgical safety, improve reprocessing outcomes, and maintain compliance with national standards.

Eileen Thompson

Infection Prevention Senior Specialist, Corewell Health

Eileen Thompson is a seasoned infection prevention expert specializing in high-level disinfection (HLD) and sterilization within acute care hospitals and affiliated outpatient facilities. She leads the development, implementation, and auditing of evidence-based policies aligned with CDC, AAMI, AORN, Joint Commission, CMS, and OSHA standards. Eileen conducts system-wide risk assessments, compliance gap analyses, and performance improvement initiatives, leveraging Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. She collaborates closely with Sterile Processing, Perioperative, and Endoscopy teams to standardize reprocessing workflows and enhance patient safety. A skilled educator and mentor, Eileen delivers hands-on training, simulation exercises, and competency programs for clinical and non-clinical staff. She plays a key role in accreditation readiness, outbreak investigations, and failure analyses, using data-driven insights to reduce risk and ensure regulatory compliance. Widely respected for her leadership and technical acumen, Eileen is a trusted advisor to infection prevention specialists and sterile processing leaders across her healthcare system.

Noreen Mollon

Infection Prevention and Epidemiology Manager, University of Michigan Health

Noreen Mollon is a manager in the Department of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology at University of Michigan Health. She joined the team in February of 2020. Prior to her role at UMH, she spent nearly 15 years working in public health holding several positions including tuberculosis epidemiologist and infection prevention consultant. During her time as IP consultant, she helped healthcare facilities across the continuum of care prepare for special pathogens and helped educate on infection prevention standards. She has a BS in microbiology from University of Michigan and MS in epidemiology from Michigan State University.