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: Instrument Reprocessing

ABTOX Plazlyte System Adulterated Devices Automated Endoscope Reprocessors Biological Indicators Disease Transmission Endoscope Damage Food and Drug Administration Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Immediate-Use Steam Sterilization Infection Prevention Instrument Reprocessing Investigational Devices Liquid Chemical Sterilization Low-Temperature Sterilization Misbranded Devices Peracetic Acid Sleeping Dogs Sterilization STERIS STERIS System 1 STERIS System 1E

History of the STERIS System 1: A Detailed Review

January 9, 2013 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

September 18, 2013 — This article discusses the history of the STERIS System 1 Liquid Chemical Processor and its de facto recall (by the Food and Drug Administration). Click here…

Auxiliary Water Channel Bronchoscopes Colonoscopes Disease Transmission Disinfection Gastrointestinal Endoscopy GI Endoscopes Healthcare-Acquired Infections Hepatitis (B and C) Viruses High-Level Disinfection HIV Infection Prevention Instrument Reprocessing Los Angeles Times MAJ-855 Water Tube Pseudomonas aeruginosa Semicritical Devices

Risk of Disease Transmission Associated with Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

January 3, 2013 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

January 3, 2013 (updated July 28, 2013, revised April 24, 2014) — This article responds to an article published in The Los Angeles Times. Although this Times’ article was published…

Biofilms Bronchoscopes Case Study Colonoscopes Disease Transmission Disinfection Endoscope Sampling Gastrointestinal Endoscopy GI Endoscopes High-Level Disinfection Infection Prevention Instrument Reprocessing Outbreak Investigations Semicritical Devices

Case Study: A “Dirty” Gastrointestinal Endoscope

January 2, 2013 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

January 2, 2013 — This article presents a case study, for the purpose of education, that details events at a fictional facility known as “Hospital X.” Breaches in reprocessing protocols…

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Aseptic Technique Immediate Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS) Joint Commission (JCAHO) Multisociety Guidance Position Statement

Immediate Use Steam Sterilization for Surgical Instruments: Dr. Muscarella’s Guidance and Position Statement

November 26, 2025 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD
Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News Immediate Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS) Instrument Reprocessing Joint Commission (JCAHO) Monitoring Rinse Water Multisociety Guidance Rigid Laryngoscopes Sheaths Spaulding's Device Classification

Dr. Muscarella’s Review of the New Multisociety Guidance for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities

November 11, 2025 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Endoscope-Associated Infections Healthcare Quality, Safety Healthcare-Acquired Infections Medicare's HAC Reduction Program

A Proposal to Include ‘Endoscope-Associated Infections’ as a Reportable Medicare Measure to Promote Patient Safety

July 28, 2025 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD
Adverse Event Reports Food and Drug Administration Food Drug and Cosmetic Act Informed Consent Medical Device Reports (MDRs) Misbranded Devices Patient Notification Warning letters (FDA)

Hundreds of Thousands of Device Reports Were Submitted Late to FDA, a New Study Has Found, Raising Safety Questions

May 13, 2025 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD