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: Joint Commission (JCAHO)

Auxiliary Water Channel Best Practices Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Colonoscopes Colonoscopy Disease Transmission Disposable Irrigation Tubing Endoscope Reprocessing Endoscope Sampling Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Gastrointestinal Endoscopy GI Endoscopes Healthcare Quality, Safety Healthcare-Acquired Infections Hepatitis (B and C) Viruses Infection Prevention Joint Commission (JCAHO) Klebsiella pneumoniae Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase]-producing K. pneumoniae MAJ-855 Water Tube Medical Errors Mycobacterium abscessus Product Labeling Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quality Assurance Risk Management Serratia spp. Superbugs Surveys Tap Water The Reuse of Single-Use Devices

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

May 20, 2014 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

February 18, 2014 — 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…

Adult Intensive Care Units Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Audits Best Practices Bundles Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) catheter-associated urinary tract infections Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections Central-Line Venous Catheters Checklists Disease Transmission Hand Hygiene and Antisepsis Healthcare Policy Healthcare Quality, Safety Healthcare-Acquired Infections Joint Commission (JCAHO) Medical Errors Published Infection Rates Quality Assurance Superbugs Surveys ventilator-associated pneumonia

Study Finds U.S. Hospitals Are not Following Policies Proven to Prevent Life-Threatening Infections – A Call to Action

February 7, 2014 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

A study by the Columbia University School of Nursing found that while most hospitals have evidence-based policies on file for the control and prevention of health care-associated infections (“HAIs”), clinician…

Ambulatory Surgery Centers Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Automated Endoscope Reprocessors Bedside Cleaning Best Practices Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Cystoscopes Flexible "ENT" Laryngoscopes Glutaraldehyde Hepatitis (B and C) Viruses HIV Instrument Reprocessing Joint Commission (JCAHO) Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase]-producing K. pneumoniae ortho-phthalaldehyde Patient Notification Pseudomonas aeruginosa Risk Management Serratia spp. Sheaths Transparency

Risk of Disease Transmission during Cystoscopy: Discussion of a Specific Error in Maine

December 6, 2013 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

December 5, 2013 —A hospital in Maine (USA) confirmed today a medical error — namely, that it had been improper cleaning cystoscopes after their use during certain urological procedures. This…

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January 24, 2024 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD
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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
Adverse Event Reports Candida auris Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Duodenoscopes Endoscope Reprocessing Escherichia coli Gastroscopes MAUDE Medical Device Reports (MDRs) Risk Assessment Single-Use Disposable Devices

Gastroscopes Have Been Linked to A Cluster of Resistant E. coli Infections — Is the Risk Sufficiently Recognized?

January 6, 2023 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD