Discussions in Infection Control

An independent site by Lawrence F Muscarella PhD -- a national authority on the causes and prevention of healthcare-associated infections and related errors.

Category: Endoscope Reprocessing

Ambulatory Surgery Centers Aseptic Technique Best Practices Central Sterile Processing Delayed Reprocessing Disease Transmission Disinfection Endoscope Reprocessing GE Healthcare High-Level Disinfection Instrument Drying Probes Shelf Life, Storage TEE (Transesophageal Echocardiography) Probes Transvaginal Ultrasound Probes Trophon EPR Ultrasound Transducers

The Trophon EPR Ultrasound Transducer High-Level Disinfection System: A Commentary

September 4, 2013 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

This article provides some initial advice and commentary to medical staff considering purchase of the Trophon EPR Ultrasound Transducer High-Level Disinfection System (or, “Trophon EPR”). Some of this article’s guidance…

Best Practices Biological Indicators Biopsy Forceps Central Sterile Processing Critical Device Classifications Endoscope Reprocessing Flexible "ENT" Laryngoscopes Hepatitis (B and C) Viruses High-Level Disinfection HIV Infection Prevention Instrument Reprocessing Intermediate-Level Disinfection Low-Level Disinfection Low-Temperature Sterilization Noncritical ortho-phthalaldehyde Prions Rigid Arthroscopes Semicritical Devices

Disinfection or Sterilization of a Contaminated Reusable Instrument?

September 4, 2013 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

Selection of the “right” sterilization or disinfection process, or technology, for reprocessing a specific type of reusable instrument may not always be straightforward. This is often because the instrument is…

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Aseptic Technique Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Carbapenems Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Contact Precautions Disease Transmission Endoscope Reprocessing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Gastrointestinal Endoscopy GI Endoscopes Gloves and Other Personal Protective Equipment Hand Hygiene and Antisepsis Infection Prevention Isolation Precautions Klebsiella pneumoniae Standard Precautions

Nature: “Antibiotic resistance: The last resort”

August 21, 2013 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

The July 24, 2013, issue of the popular science magazine Nature includes a replete article about CRE – or, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Read Dr. Muscarella’s related post: “Growing National Concerns about…

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Adverse Event Reports Candida auris Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Duodenoscopes Endoscope Reprocessing Escherichia coli Gastroscopes MAUDE Medical Device Reports (MDRs) Risk Assessment Single-Use Disposable Devices

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