A recent New York Times op-ed reinforced the widespread feeling among US physicians that they are spending too much time documenting their work in electronic health record (EHR) software. Recent estimates put physician time spent in their EHR at 50% of their workday, significantly reducing the amount of time they can spend on patient care. […]
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), based in Portland, OR, recently underwent a dramatic change in their endoscopy practice with the opening of the new Center for Health & Healing Building 2 (CHH2). As part of the opening, OHSU moved its endoscopy operations to a new building, with the endoscopy department and central sterile department
How One Hospital Transitioned Endoscope Reprocessing To Central Sterile Read More »
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the first fully disposable duodenoscope on the market. The industry believes that a move to disposable parts, and now fully disposable scopes, will help reduce infection risks. Poorly disinfected duodenoscopes have been linked to numerous cases of superbug outbreaks over the past several years. The
Duodenoscope Safety Continues To Move Forward With First Disposable Model Read More »
With endoscope cleaning procedures continuing to be a focus for hospitals emphasizing patient safety, the Joint Commission has also increased its scrutiny of reprocessing protocols at its member hospitals. In order to minimize the chances of using poorly reprocessed endoscopes, hospitals should concentrate on understanding endoscope instructions for use and knowing the evidence-based guidelines put
Joint Commission Increases Scrutiny Of Endoscope Reprocessing Procedures Read More »
A recent study conducted by biotech company OneLife showed that between 10% and 30% of endoscopes in use at Belgian hospitals are contaminated by bacteria. This is the result even though the endoscopes in question were tested after going through the high-level disinfection process. Due to the complex nature of endoscopes, they are high-level disinfected
Study Reveals Up To One-Third Of Endoscopes Carry Bacteria Read More »
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new initiatives to spur innovation in Ethylene Oxide (EtO) sterilization for medical devices. EtO has recently come under pressure as a practice due to the hazardous release of ethylene oxide into the environment from facilities performing the sterilization process. This year, the United States Environmental Protection
FDA Introduces Pilot Programs For EtO Sterilization Initiatives Read More »
The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recalled a specific type of breast implant manufactured by Allergan. The recall, announced earlier in 2019, included the textured Biocell breast implants and expanders. The implants have been linked to a certain cancer, called BIA-ALCL. While the exact link between these implants and the cancer is unknown,
FDA Recalls Allergan Textured Breast Implants Read More »
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the first duodenoscope on the market with a disposable elevator piece. The industry believes that a move to disposable parts, like the elevator, will help reduce infection risks. The elevators of duodenoscopes have been identified in numerous instances as a difficult to clean component that
According to a recent survey, unnecessary hospital supply chain spending increased over 10% from 2017 to 2018. The total unnecessary spend across US hospitals reached $25.7 billion in 2018, up $2.7 billion from 2017. The survey, conducted by Navigant, surveyed over 2,000 hospitals. The study also found that the average savings opportunity by reducing unnecessary
Unnecessary Healthcare Supply Chain Spend Tops $25 Billion Read More »
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently held a panel discussion to review the causes and possible solutions to safety issues arising from the use of duodenoscopes. Participants in the FDA’s General Hospital and Personal Use Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee discussed how particular aspects of duodenoscopes have led to recent
FDA Discussion Of Duodenoscopes Points To Several Causes For Safety Issues Read More »