The FDA issued an alert to physicians and facilities about possible cross contamination caused by 24-hour multipatient use endoscope connectors.
Here's what you should know.
1. The connecting bits can be used for up to 24 hours without reprocessing, but the FDA is recommending against their use due to an inadequate amount of acceptable testing.
2. The connectors connect auxiliary water channels to a flexible endoscopes.
3. The FDA recommends using connectors that include backflow prevention features. The backflow feature prevents water from entering into the scope. These types of connectors may be either single-use or reuseable, if reprocessed after every patient.
4. Erbe USA's 24-hour multipatient use endoscope connector is one such scope at risk because of its lack of a backflow prevention feature. The agency warned the connector, tubing and/or water bottle can be contaminated by blood, stool or other fluids re-entering the scope.
To read the whole alert, click here.