Final answer:
The responsibility of inspecting returned medical equipment lies with the hospitals and their staff. They must follow protocols for cleaning and sterilizing the equipment to ensure its safety for reuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
The responsibility of inspecting returned medical equipment on loan before it is returned to service lies with the hospitals and their staff.
Protocols for cleaning or sterilizing medical equipment are typically developed by government agencies and other scientific organizations, and then adopted by medical device and equipment manufacturers. It is the duty of the end-users, such as hospitals and their staff, to strictly follow these protocols to ensure that the equipment is properly cleaned and safe for reuse.