The Joint Commission has published an addendum to its sentinel event alert #20 on exposure to Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a degenerative, fatal brain disorder.
The original sentinel event alert was published in 2001, and included exposure risk factors, risk reduction strategies and recommended policies. The addendum addresses the recommended practice of quarantining equipment.
Specifically, The Joint Commission recommends using evidence-based sterilization guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization or American National Standards Institute/Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. These guidelines will help providers minimize the risk of using neurosurgical instruments that were potentially contaminated during procedures on patients later diagnosed with CJD, according to the alert.
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The original sentinel event alert was published in 2001, and included exposure risk factors, risk reduction strategies and recommended policies. The addendum addresses the recommended practice of quarantining equipment.
Specifically, The Joint Commission recommends using evidence-based sterilization guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization or American National Standards Institute/Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. These guidelines will help providers minimize the risk of using neurosurgical instruments that were potentially contaminated during procedures on patients later diagnosed with CJD, according to the alert.
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