Category: Infection Prevention

Flash or Immediate Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS): A Position Statement

This article presents the position of Lawrence F Muscarella, PhD, on the use of “immediate-use steam sterilization” (IUSS), historically known as “flash sterilization,” to process surgical instruments in or near…

Tap Water Used for Irrigation during GI Endoscopy: A Recommendation and Assessment of the Infection Risk

Synopsis: This article discusses the potential for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) associated with the use of tap water, compared to sterile water, for irrigation (and/or cleansing the endoscope’s lens) during gastrointestinal…

Multiple Outbreaks of a ‘Nightmarish Bacteria’ Linked to Contaminated Endoscopes in the U.S and Europe: Has a ‘Smoking Gun’ Been Found?

A popular Sunday morning television news show aired a segment on January 15, 2014, that provided helpful advice about a concerning outbreak of “nightmare bacteria” that had been linked just…