Managing Endoscopes

Study Shows Positive Effects Of Forced Air Drying Of Endoscopes

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 […]

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How Scopes May Play A Role In The Spread Of Covid-19

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

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First Disposable Duodenoscope Takes Major Step Forward With Clearance For CMS Reimbursement

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

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What Patients Are Looking For Before Undergoing A Scope Procedure

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

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Are Endoscopy Caseload Pressures Compromising Patient Safety?

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

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How Automated Endoscope Drying Cabinets Minimize Bacterial Growth

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 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, performed

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How One Hospital Reduced Their Scope Reprocessing Times By Over 35 Percent

Today’s Sterile Processing Department (SPD) managers function as business operators whose primary objective is to adhere to the highest standards of cleaning protocols. Their role is to focus not only on adherence to disinfection standards and requirements, but to operate with high speed and efficiency as well. Specific to endoscopic procedures, a critical requirement for

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ECRI List of Top Patient Safety Concerns Includes Sterile Processing

The ECRI Institute, based in Philadelphia, has just released its annual list of patient safety concerns for 2020.  This year’s list includes an entry at number 5 for device cleaning, disinfection and sterilization, echoing prior year concerns about sub-standard disinfection practices for flexible endoscopes and other reusable medical equipment. ECRI’s list is the result of

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How One Hospital Optimized Their Staffing Levels Using Scope Tracking Software

Many hospitals find it difficult to optimize staffing levels for their operations. This can be due to any number of variables that become even more extreme as the size of a hospital increases – an influx of patients can throw off carefully planned schedules; certain cases extend way past their estimated closing times; and missing

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Olympus Receives FDA Clearance For Duodenoscope With Disposable Component

Olympus has joined the list of duodenoscope manufacturers receiving the green light to market a duodenoscope with disposable components by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Following closely on the heels of Pentax and Fujifilm’s models with disposable components, and Boston Scientific’s fully disposable duodenoscope, Olympus is now cleared to sell a duodenoscope

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