Infection Control

Study Shows Positive Effects Of Forced Air Drying Of Endoscopes

Hospital Management, Infection Control, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety, Regulatory Compliance /

According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control, storing endoscopes in an automated cabinet with channel drying functionality effectively reduced moisture and bacterial growth in the scopes. Because endoscopes are reusable medical instruments, minimizing the amount of bacterial growth in the periods between procedures can dramatically improve patient safety. The […]

Study Shows Positive Effects Of Forced Air Drying Of Endoscopes Read More »

How Scopes May Play A Role In The Spread Of Covid-19

Hospital Management, Infection Control, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety, Regulatory Compliance /

With endoscopes having been linked with so many superbug outbreaks in recent years, some may naturally wonder if they can play a role in the spread of Covid-19 as well. While there is no scientific research or published findings of a link between endoscopes and Covid-19, intuition tells us that endoscopes may play a role

How Scopes May Play A Role In The Spread Of Covid-19 Read More »

4 Methods For Effectively Decontaminating N95 Masks

Cost Reduction, Hospital Finance, Hospital Management, Infection Control, Operational Efficiency, Patient Safety, Supply Chain, The Business of Surgery /

With Covid-19 showing no signs of slowing, much of the US healthcare system is suffering from a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for its frontline employees. The shortage is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, potentially leading to hospital workers being put in needless danger of catching the extremely infectious coronavirus. Many hospitals

4 Methods For Effectively Decontaminating N95 Masks Read More »

Major Academic Medical Center Runs Successful Pilot Of Elastomeric Masks As Substitute For N95s

Cost Reduction, Hospital Finance, Hospital Management, Infection Control, Operational Efficiency, Patient Safety, Supply Chain, The Business of Surgery /

A major academic medical center in Pennsylvania recently announced a new initiative to combat the shortage of PPE stemming from Covid-19. Allegheny Health Network (AHN), an integrated healthcare delivery system based in Pittsburgh, announced that it has been testing the ability of its hospital staff to use elastomeric masks as an alternative to the high-demand

Major Academic Medical Center Runs Successful Pilot Of Elastomeric Masks As Substitute For N95s Read More »

First Disposable Duodenoscope Takes Major Step Forward With Clearance For CMS Reimbursement

Hospital Management, Infection Control, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety /

The Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the first fully disposable duodenoscope on the market for reimbursement. Boston Scientific announced that its EXALT Model D disposable duodenoscope, which received FDA clearance in December 2019, was granted approval for reimbursement in outpatient settings under the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system. The disposable

First Disposable Duodenoscope Takes Major Step Forward With Clearance For CMS Reimbursement Read More »

OSHA Issues Guidance For N95 Mask Sterilization

Hospital Management, Infection Control, Patient Safety, Supply Chain, The Business of Surgery /

Based on strong demand from hospitals and other healthcare organizations, the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) issued guidance for the reuse of N95 respirators. As many hospitals are facing an extreme shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this gives additional credibility to the idea of reusing sterilized N95 masks

OSHA Issues Guidance For N95 Mask Sterilization Read More »

What Patients Are Looking For Before Undergoing A Scope Procedure

Hospital Management, Infection Control, Joint Commission, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety /

As reports continue to come out regarding superbug outbreaks potentially linked to endoscope-related procedures, patients may find themselves questioning the safety of undergoing procedures that use an endoscope. The mainstream media has started to coach patients on how to evaluate the value of undergoing an endoscope-related procedure and how to select a hospital that’s right

What Patients Are Looking For Before Undergoing A Scope Procedure Read More »

Multiple Studies Point To Steam Sterilization Potential For N95 Masks

Cost Reduction, Hospital Finance, Hospital Management, Infection Control, Operational Efficiency, Patient Safety, Supply Chain, The Business of Surgery /

Two recent studies have shown that simple steam sterilization could prove effective at eliminating Covid-19 on personal protective equipment (PPE) worn at hospitals. As many hospitals are facing an extreme shortage of PPE due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this may be a promising development as hospitals continue to prepare for further waves of Covid-19 patients.

Multiple Studies Point To Steam Sterilization Potential For N95 Masks Read More »

Are Endoscopy Caseload Pressures Compromising Patient Safety?

Hospital Management, Infection Control, Managing Endoscopes, Operational Efficiency, Patient Safety /

Due to various, well-publicized episodes over the last decade, endoscopic procedures continue to be scrutinized as a potential source of superbug outbreaks within hospitals. In the current environment, where patient safety and infection control are at the forefront of most hospital administrators, endoscopy may receive a closer look to see what can be done to

Are Endoscopy Caseload Pressures Compromising Patient Safety? Read More »

FDA Issues Emergency Order Allowing Up To 4 Million Decontaminated N95 Masks Per Day

Cost Reduction, Hospital Finance, Hospital Management, Infection Control, Operational Efficiency, Patient Safety, Supply Chain, The Business of Surgery /

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an emergency order that allows hospitals and health systems to decontaminate N95 respirator masks up to 10 times before they are to be disposed. As hospitals are facing an extreme shortage of PPE due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this will be a welcome piece of

FDA Issues Emergency Order Allowing Up To 4 Million Decontaminated N95 Masks Per Day Read More »