Many US hospitals are continuing to struggle in keeping up with demands for personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees. With Covid-19 continuing to be a menacing presence in the US, the shortage is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Any expected surges of Covid-19 in the fall or winter of this year could potentially […]
N95 Masks Found To Be Effective After Single Sterilization Cycle Read More »
According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control, storing endoscopes in an automated cabinet with channel drying functionality effectively reduced moisture and bacterial growth in the scopes. Because endoscopes are reusable medical instruments, minimizing the amount of bacterial growth in the periods between procedures can dramatically improve patient safety. The
Study Shows Positive Effects Of Forced Air Drying Of Endoscopes Read More »
With endoscopes having been linked with so many superbug outbreaks in recent years, some may naturally wonder if they can play a role in the spread of Covid-19 as well. While there is no scientific research or published findings of a link between endoscopes and Covid-19, intuition tells us that endoscopes may play a role
How Scopes May Play A Role In The Spread Of Covid-19 Read More »
With Covid-19 showing no signs of slowing, much of the US healthcare system is suffering from a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for its frontline employees. The shortage is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, potentially leading to hospital workers being put in needless danger of catching the extremely infectious coronavirus. Many hospitals
4 Methods For Effectively Decontaminating N95 Masks Read More »
A major academic medical center in Pennsylvania recently announced a new initiative to combat the shortage of PPE stemming from Covid-19. Allegheny Health Network (AHN), an integrated healthcare delivery system based in Pittsburgh, announced that it has been testing the ability of its hospital staff to use elastomeric masks as an alternative to the high-demand
The Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the first fully disposable duodenoscope on the market for reimbursement. Boston Scientific announced that its EXALT Model D disposable duodenoscope, which received FDA clearance in December 2019, was granted approval for reimbursement in outpatient settings under the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system. The disposable
Based on strong demand from hospitals and other healthcare organizations, the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) issued guidance for the reuse of N95 respirators. As many hospitals are facing an extreme shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this gives additional credibility to the idea of reusing sterilized N95 masks
OSHA Issues Guidance For N95 Mask Sterilization Read More »
As reports continue to come out regarding superbug outbreaks potentially linked to endoscope-related procedures, patients may find themselves questioning the safety of undergoing procedures that use an endoscope. The mainstream media has started to coach patients on how to evaluate the value of undergoing an endoscope-related procedure and how to select a hospital that’s right
What Patients Are Looking For Before Undergoing A Scope Procedure Read More »
Two recent studies have shown that simple steam sterilization could prove effective at eliminating Covid-19 on personal protective equipment (PPE) worn at hospitals. As many hospitals are facing an extreme shortage of PPE due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this may be a promising development as hospitals continue to prepare for further waves of Covid-19 patients.
Multiple Studies Point To Steam Sterilization Potential For N95 Masks Read More »
Due to various, well-publicized episodes over the last decade, endoscopic procedures continue to be scrutinized as a potential source of superbug outbreaks within hospitals. In the current environment, where patient safety and infection control are at the forefront of most hospital administrators, endoscopy may receive a closer look to see what can be done to
Are Endoscopy Caseload Pressures Compromising Patient Safety? Read More »