There are some risks to patients with pumps trials without reautoclaving
the pump pieces between patients. Most companies, including Medela do not
recommend use of parts between patients without reautoclaving. A quick
comparison to the dental profession might be in order. Some dentists at one
point in time did not autoclave their instruments. Problems surfaced. Now
they do autoclave. Check out their recommendations at 
http://www.ada.org/prac/info/ic-recs/ic-recs.Html. How do you feel at your
dentists office if they don't autoclave their instruments? Many companies
make autoclaves and they are also available on the used market. I would
make the suggestion to strongly consider acquiring an autoclave and follow
manufactures instructions if you are doing pump trials. 

If you are not following manufactures recommendations I would make sure to
have a paper trail as to why you are doing so and to insure that the
documentation would hold up in the event of any litigation against
yourself. A letter from the local or state  health department  validating
your procedures would be a good way to proceed. That would insure that you
are meeting local community standards.


Richard Weston
Medela Inc.