The Joint Commission (TJC) recently released a Quick Safety update titled “Improperly Sterilized or HLD Equipment – A Growing Problem”. The release was issued in response to what TJC perceives as a growing threat to patient safety. In their analysis, they state that in 2016, 74% of immediate threat to life (ITL) declarations issued by […]
Fujifilm Medical Systems USA recently recalled its duodenoscopes, joining the prior recall of Olympus duodenoscopes and a field correction issued to Pentax duodenoscopes. With the ever-changing hardware and cleaning instructions, many endoscopy and sterile processing professionals may find themselves wondering, “Exactly how safe are the duodenoscopes that I’m managing?” It’s a tricky question, and one
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The short answer is – reprocessing processes are evolving, but not quickly enough. This is according to a series of recent studies Ofstead & Associates, based in Minnesota. The two studies, conducted at UPMC in Pittsburgh and another healthcare facility in the Midwest, both showed that risks of infections spread by endoscopes still exist even
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The first trial accusing Olympus Corp. of wrongdoing associated with contaminated duodenoscopes in US hospitals has recently concluded. The jury ultimately decided that the Olympus duodenoscope’s design was not to blame for the death of a patient – though its lack of proper warning was determined to be partially responsible, as well as the actions
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On July 21, 2017, Fujifilm Medical Systems USA issued an Urgent Medical Device Correction and Removal notification to inform customers of a recall of its ED-530XT duodenoscopes. This voluntary recall includes the replacement of the ED-530XT forceps elevator mechanism including the O-ring seal, replacement of the distal end cap, and the provision of new Operation
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Kaiser Permanente’s Largo Medical Center in Maryland has issued a notice to 23 patients that they should undergo testing following the use of an improperly disinfected flexible endoscope in their cases. This recall, coupled with the recent issue at an armed forces facility in Qatar, continues to remind us of the risks that improperly reprocessed
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The recent revelation of a potential endoscope-related outbreak at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar reminds us once again of the risks that improperly reprocessed scopes represent to our patients. This unfortunate episode potentially exposed 135 airmen to such diseases as HIV, hepatitis B and C and other potentially fatal bugs. The most disturbing
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The recent issues surrounding scope-related infections continue to gather media attention. A recent article by the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette follows the story of how UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA has managed its endoscope reprocessing since a scope-related outbreak in 2012. In the article, UPMC points to its adoption of additional steps added to its reprocessing guidelines since
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Hospitals and healthcare providers are under increased scrutiny by The Joint Commission (TJC), the FDA, DNV and even Congress to improve the documentation practices around flexible endoscope usage. There are articles are in the media seemingly every day about how a hospital was cited, sued or otherwise put in a negative light around their endoscope
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The first trial accusing Olympus Corp. of wrongdoing associated with contaminated duodenoscopes in US hospitals is underway. The case surrounds the death of Richard Bigler, a 57 year-old patient who underwent a scope procedure while battling pancreatic cancer in 2013. It’s alleged that during the procedure, a tainted duodenoscope at Virginia Mason Medical Center passed
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