September 18, 2020
Since 2015, contaminated endoscopes may have transmitted infections at more than a dozen major hospitals; some infections resulted in patient deaths.
Continue reading to learn more about the Culprit, the Costs and the Solution to achieve a higher standard of care, compared to high level disinfection.
The map shown displays major medical facilites with endoscope related infection outbreaks since 2015, some resulting in fatalities. Typically, these Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) are the result of a GI procedure using complex flexible endoscopes such as duodenoscopes.
A recent safety communication recommends hospitals consider reprocessing duodenoscopes using a liquid chemical sterilant processing system.
"Consider reprocessing with supplemental measures such as sterilization or use of a liquid chemical sterilant processing system consistent with the device's labeling."1
Repeat or double HLD has been shown not to provide significant reduction in microorganisms vs. single HLD.2
A study finds nearly three-quarters of commonly used medical endoscopes tainted by bacteria. Patient-ready bronchoscopes were found to be contaminated despite cleaning and disinfection.
Liquid Chemical Sterilant Processing is validated for material compatibility and efficacy for more than 2000 endoscope models, including colonoscopes, duodenoscopes, gastroscopes and bronchoscopes.
STERIS Liquid Chemical Sterilization Solutions can provide:
The risks financially, legally and to your facility's reputation are risks you can't afford to take.
Your facility's reputation is at stake. 500,000+ HAI caused by C. diff and MDROs every year.3
A patient who contracts C. diff will cost an additional $24,205 to a hospital. With 500,000 infections every year, that amounts to a cost of $4.8 billion.
Every 20 to 30 minutes bacteria can double. Under ideal conditions, one bug left behind could lead to 281,474,980,000,000 in 24 hours.
When asked by STERIS, 85% of GI Nurse Managers and Infection Preventionists claimed they would rather an endoscope be sterilized.
Liquid Chemical Sterilization is the best solution for your facility to combat today's most virulent, infection-causing microbes. It is the best solution for your peace of mind and for providing your patients with a higher standard of care vs. HLD.
300,000,000+
endoscopes/devices reprocessed without an infection
using a liquid chemical sterilant processing system
Explore STERIS Liquid Chemical Sterilization Solutions
1 https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/fda-recommending-transition-duodenoscopes-innovative-designs-enhance-safety-fda-safety-communication
2 https://scholarworks.iupui.edu/bitstream/handle/1805/17101/Rex_2018_double.pdf
3 Aggregate of C.diff and CRE infections amd deaths. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2015/p0225-clostridium-difficile.html, https://www.livescience.com/50041-cre-symptoms-treatment.html
4 https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2015/p0225-clostridium-difficile.html
Number of reprocessing events without reported infection traceable to the processing system when using endoscopes processed correctly according to IFU. Internal STERIS data based on sterilant concentrate sales