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: HIV

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…

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…

Best Practices Case Study Disease Transmission Healthcare-Acquired Infections Hepatitis (B and C) Viruses HIV Infection Prevention IV Infusions Multi-Dose Medicine Vials Outbreak Investigations Sterility The Reuse of Single-Use Devices

Answers Sought in Hepatitis Infection at a Hospital in New Hampshire

August 19, 2013 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

Report: “Answers Sought in Hepatitis Infection” This newspaper article discusses a recent outbreak of the hepatitis C virus due to the alleged theft of intravenous (IV) drugs. The following is…

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