The improper cleaning and subsequent use of endoscopes can lead to a number of patient safety issues. Just earlier this year, it was reported that between 2012 and 2014, at least 35 patients at Seattle-based Virginia Mason Medical Center fell ill from carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections. These infections were likely spread due to the use of dirty duodenoscopes. Investigators found CRE on some of the scopes at Virginia Mason even after they had been disinfected.
Additionally, in March, Domingo Gomez filed a lawsuit against Olympus America over the recent CRE outbreak at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. The suit claims Olympus failed to take critical steps in the reprocessing protocol. In May, Virginia Mason also joined the lawsuit, alleging that Olympus America knew its duodenoscopes could become contaminated and harbor bacteria.
The improper cleaning of endoscopes thus puts patient lives at risk and opens up a healthcare facility to the possibility of lawsuits.
After the outbreak of CRE linked to duodenoscopes in Virginia Mason, the FDA released a safety communication, which included recommendations for ERCP duodenoscope reprocessing, such as carefully cleaning the elevator mechanism and assessing the mechanism by hand even when using an automated endoscope reprocessor. The ECRI Institute also issued a High Priority Hazard Report in response to the outbreaks, which calls for scope culturing to minimize the risk of infection.
Learn more about CRE and its current epidemiology as well as the proper care and handling of endoscopes during a webinar hosted by Becker's ASC Review and Medline on June 17 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST. Click here to learn more and register.
