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 »
When community hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are visited by accreditation agencies like The Joint Commission (TJC) or DNV, they are held to the same strict endoscope documentation requirements as academic medical centers. While it may seem unfair for these smaller facilities with access to fewer resources to be held to the same strict
How Community Hospitals and ASCs Can Keep Up With Endoscope Documentation Requirements Read More »
According to a recent survey, health system operating margins improved in 2018, but still remained significantly below 2015 levels. The analysis, conducted by Navigant, looked at the financial performance of over 100 large health systems that together own 44% of total hospitals in the US. The survey revealed that the average health system improved its
Survey: Health System Profit Margins Up, But Still Below 2015 Levels Read More »
As the major endoscope manufacturers continue to work with regulators such as The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve the safety of their endoscopes, many possible long-term solutions have been raised for discussion. Some thought leaders say that improving current high-level disinfection (HLD) processes will improve safety significantly, while many other experts
How To Determine When To Sterilize Flexible Endoscopes Read More »
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) estimated the annual cost of waste in the US healthcare system between $760 billion to $935 billion. The study, conducted by researchers at Humana and UPMC, looked at 54 published reports that explored the costs of waste in US healthcare. As this
New Study Puts Price Tag of US Healthcare Waste At Nearly $1 Trillion Read More »