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: Noncritical

Aseptic Technique Biological Indicators Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Critical Device Classifications Disease Transmission Endoscope Reprocessing Flexible "ENT" Laryngoscopes Food and Drug Administration High-Level Disinfection Hydraulic Fluid Infection Prevention Instrument Drying Intermediate-Level Disinfection Liquid Chemical Sterilization Low-Level Disinfection Noncritical Ophthalmic Instruments Patty Murray (U.S. Senator) Rigid Laryngoscopes Semicritical Devices Skin Electrodes (Reusable) Sterility Sterilization Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome

Response to the FDA’s Draft Guidance Document on the Reprocessing of Reusable Medical Devices

February 7, 2015 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

February 5, 2015 — This article presents Dr. Muscarella’s response submitted in August 2011 to the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in reply to the Agency’s request earlier that…

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…

Central Sterile Processing Cystoscopes Flexible "ENT" Laryngoscopes Healthcare-Acquired Infections High-Level Disinfection Instrument Reprocessing Intermediate-Level Disinfection Low-Level Disinfection Noncritical Semicritical Devices Sheaths

The Reprocessing of Sheathed “ENT” Endoscopes, Cystoscopes, and Other Types of Flexible Endoscopes

May 17, 2013 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

A number of years ago this blog’s founder – Dr. Lawrence F Muscarella – wrote the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting the Agency review for clarity and consistency, among…

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January 8, 2024 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD
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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