ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the use of medical devices in relation to patient safety, and in particular, their misuse. It outlines how the on-the-ground practicalities and complexities of delivering patient care can influence the decision to misuse medical devices, or indeed use them in innovative ways. The chapter analyses the aim of examining when is 'breaking the rules' breaking the rules, and when is 'breaking the rules' making the patient safer. Historically, the main concern with contaminated medical devices has been the risk of Creutzfeld–Jakob Disease (CJD) and blood-borne diseases such as HIV/Aids and hepatitis. Given practitioners concerns about the safety of some single-use devices, the risks presented by the use of a reusable device may be more acceptable with regard to the safety of the patient. Practitioners were acting deviantly in order that a greater chance of maintaining patient safety was possible.
