Comparison of costs for disposable and reusable syringes and needles in Siriraj Hospital.

The costs for disposable and re-usable syringes and needles were compared in Siriraj Hospital, in July 1988. Data were collected from all wards regarding number of items used or replaced. Labour costs for recycling re-usable items were estimated by close observation. The costs for disposable and re-usable syringes and needles were 498,039.50, 193,874.45, 69,410.00 and 27,366.95 baht respectively. It can be concluded that re-usable items cost only 36 per cent of disposable ones. It is evident that re-usable syringes and needles should be appropriate for hospitals in Thailand at present.