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: Semicritical Devices

High-Level Disinfection Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Nanosonics Semicritical Devices TEE (Transesophageal Echocardiography) Probes Transvaginal Ultrasound Probes Trophon EPR

Do All Hospital Disinfectants Destroy HPV on Contaminated Ultrasound Probes? This white paper discusses the risk of HPV transmissions in the healthcare setting.

May 27, 2015 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

May 27, 2015 — A recent study suggests that some disinfectants commonly used in hospitals may be ineffective against certain types of the HPV virus. Briefly, the reprocessing of contaminated…

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Response to the FDA’s Draft Guidance Document on the Reprocessing of Reusable Medical Devices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

Auxiliary Water Channel Best Practices Byrne Medical Central Sterile Processing Colonoscopes Colonoscopy Delayed Reprocessing Device Contamination Disease Transmission Disinfection Disposable Irrigation Tubing Endoscope Reprocessing ERBE Food and Drug Administration Gastrointestinal Endoscopy GI Endoscopes Hepatitis (B and C) Viruses High-Level Disinfection HIV Infection Prevention MAJ-855 Water Tube Manufacturers Medical Errors Medivators Product Labeling Quality Assurance Risk Management Semicritical Devices Single-Use Disposable Devices STERIS The Reuse of Single-Use Devices US Endoscopy

Guidance for the Safe Use of “Disposable” Irrigation Tubing Used During GI Endoscopy

October 17, 2013 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD

October 17, 2013 — This is the third and final article in a series discussing disposable tubing used for irrigation during gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. This is the most complete set…

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Adverse Event Reports Case Reviews Colonoscopes Colonoscopy Endoscope Reprocessing Risk Assessment Salmonella

17 U.S. Patients Were Exposed in December to a Colonoscope Contaminated with Salmonella Bacteria, FDA Reports Reveal

January 24, 2024 Lawrence F Muscarella PhD
Adverse Event Reports Ambu Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID-19 Endoscope Reprocessing Rebuttals Single-Use TPT Medicare Payment Status

In Support of Patient Safety, Healthcare Access, and Medicare Payment for a Single-Use Bronchoscope Model

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