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: High-Level Disinfection

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Automated Endoscope Reprocessors Biofilms Bronchoscopes Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Colonoscopes Design Control Endoscope Design Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) Escherichia coli Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilization High-Level Disinfection Klebsiella pneumoniae Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase]-producing K. pneumoniae Low-Temperature Sterilization O-ring Contamination Quality System Regulation Shelf Life, Storage Transparency

Investigation and Prevention of ‘Superbug’ Outbreaks Following Endoscopy

January 9, 2014 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

May 11, 2013 — Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes and other types of flexible endoscopes may become contaminated with infectious materials during their routine clinical use. The rigorous, prompt and thorough reprocessing…

Auxiliary Water Channel Best Practices Byrne Medical Central Sterile Processing Colonoscopes Colonoscopy Delayed Reprocessing Device Contamination Disease Transmission Disinfection Disposable Irrigation Tubing Endoscope Reprocessing ERBE Food and Drug Administration Gastrointestinal Endoscopy GI Endoscopes Hepatitis (B and C) Viruses High-Level Disinfection HIV Infection Prevention MAJ-855 Water Tube Manufacturers Medical Errors Medivators Product Labeling Quality Assurance Risk Management Semicritical Devices Single-Use Disposable Devices STERIS The Reuse of Single-Use Devices US Endoscopy

Guidance for the Safe Use of “Disposable” Irrigation Tubing Used During GI Endoscopy

October 17, 2013 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

October 17, 2013 — This is the third and final article in a series discussing disposable tubing used for irrigation during gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. This is the most complete set…

Bedside Cleaning Device Classifications Device Contamination Disease Transmission Disinfection Endoscope Reprocessing Escherichia coli Flexible "ENT" Laryngoscopes Hepatitis (B and C) Viruses High-Level Disinfection Infection Prevention Instrument Drying Intermediate-Level Disinfection Pseudomonas aeruginosa Rigid Laryngoscopes Semicritical Devices Serratia spp. Sheaths Sterilization

California Health Alert: Failure to Disinfect Reusable Semicritical Instrumentation Poses an Increased Risk of Infection

September 16, 2013 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

September 16, 2013 — In 2007 the Health and Human Services Agency Department of Health Services for the state of California advised facility administrators and infection prevention and control professionals,…

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Case Reviews Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cosmetic Surgery Mycobacterium abscessus Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ("NTM") Outbreak Investigations Public Disclosure

15 Patients Infected with Mycobacteria After Undergoing Cosmetic Surgery at a South Florida Clinic

May 6, 2024 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD
Adverse Event Reports Case Reviews Colonoscopes Colonoscopy Endoscope Reprocessing Risk Assessment Salmonella

17 U.S. Patients Were Exposed in December to a Colonoscope Contaminated with Salmonella Bacteria, FDA Reports Reveal

January 24, 2024 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD
Adverse Event Reports Ambu Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID-19 Endoscope Reprocessing Rebuttals Single-Use TPT Medicare Payment Status

In Support of Patient Safety, Healthcare Access, and Medicare Payment for a Single-Use Bronchoscope Model

January 8, 2024 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD
Adulterated Devices Adverse Event Reports Device Recalls Duodenoscopes with Disposable Components Endoscope Reprocessing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) FUJIFILM ED-580XT MAJ-2315 Misbranded Devices Olympus TJF-Q190V Single-Use Endcap with Elevator Warning letters (FDA)

Guidance to Prevent Adverse Events, Including Mucosal Tissue Injuries, When Using Duodenoscopes with a Single-Use Endcap

August 2, 2023 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD