How One Hospital Transitioned Endoscope Reprocessing To Central Sterile

January 9, 2020 / Hospital Management, Infection Control, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety /

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), based in Portland, OR, recently underwent a dramatic change in their endoscopy practice with the opening of the new Center for Health & Healing Building 2 (CHH2). As part of the opening, OHSU moved its endoscopy operations to a new building, with the endoscopy department and central sterile department […]

How One Hospital Transitioned Endoscope Reprocessing To Central Sterile Read More »

Duodenoscope Safety Continues To Move Forward With First Disposable Model

April 15, 2025 / Hospital Management, Infection Control, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety /

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the first fully disposable duodenoscope on the market. The industry believes that a move to disposable parts, and now fully disposable scopes, will help reduce infection risks. Poorly disinfected duodenoscopes have been linked to numerous cases of superbug outbreaks over the past several years. The

Duodenoscope Safety Continues To Move Forward With First Disposable Model Read More »

Joint Commission Increases Scrutiny Of Endoscope Reprocessing Procedures

April 30, 2025 / Hospital Management, Infection Control, Joint Commission, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety /

With endoscope cleaning procedures continuing to be a focus for hospitals emphasizing patient safety, the Joint Commission has also increased its scrutiny of reprocessing protocols at its member hospitals. In order to minimize the chances of using poorly reprocessed endoscopes, hospitals should concentrate on understanding endoscope instructions for use and knowing the evidence-based guidelines put

Joint Commission Increases Scrutiny Of Endoscope Reprocessing Procedures Read More »

Study Reveals Up To One-Third Of Endoscopes Carry Bacteria

April 30, 2025 / Hospital Management, Infection Control, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety /

A recent study conducted by biotech company OneLife showed that between 10% and 30% of endoscopes in use at Belgian hospitals are contaminated by bacteria. This is the result even though the endoscopes in question were tested after going through the high-level disinfection process. Due to the complex nature of endoscopes, they are high-level disinfected

Study Reveals Up To One-Third Of Endoscopes Carry Bacteria Read More »

FDA Introduces Pilot Programs For EtO Sterilization Initiatives

April 30, 2025 / Hospital Management, Infection Control, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety, Regulatory Compliance /

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new initiatives to spur innovation in Ethylene Oxide (EtO) sterilization for medical devices. EtO has recently come under pressure as a practice due to the hazardous release of ethylene oxide into the environment from facilities performing the sterilization process. This year, the United States Environmental Protection

FDA Introduces Pilot Programs For EtO Sterilization Initiatives Read More »

FDA Recalls Allergan Textured Breast Implants

April 30, 2025 / Hospital Management, Operating Rooms, Patient Safety, The Business of Surgery /

The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recalled a specific type of breast implant manufactured by Allergan. The recall, announced earlier in 2019, included the textured Biocell breast implants and expanders. The implants have been linked to a certain cancer, called BIA-ALCL. While the exact link between these implants and the cancer is unknown,

FDA Recalls Allergan Textured Breast Implants Read More »

FDA Clears First Duodenoscope With Disposable Elevator Component To Reduce Infection Risk

April 30, 2025 / Hospital Management, Infection Control, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety, Regulatory Compliance /

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the first duodenoscope on the market with a disposable elevator piece. The industry believes that a move to disposable parts, like the elevator, will help reduce infection risks. The elevators of duodenoscopes have been identified in numerous instances as a difficult to clean component that

FDA Clears First Duodenoscope With Disposable Elevator Component To Reduce Infection Risk Read More »

Unnecessary Healthcare Supply Chain Spend Tops $25 Billion

April 30, 2025 / Cost Reduction, Hospital Finance, Hospital Management, Operational Efficiency, Supply Chain, The Business of Surgery /

According to a recent survey, unnecessary hospital supply chain spending increased over 10% from 2017 to 2018. The total unnecessary spend across US hospitals reached $25.7 billion in 2018, up $2.7 billion from 2017. The survey, conducted by Navigant, surveyed over 2,000 hospitals. The study also found that the average savings opportunity by reducing unnecessary

Unnecessary Healthcare Supply Chain Spend Tops $25 Billion Read More »

FDA Discussion Of Duodenoscopes Points To Several Causes For Safety Issues

April 30, 2025 / Hospital Management, Infection Control, Joint Commission, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety, Regulatory Compliance /

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently held a panel discussion to review the causes and possible solutions to safety issues arising from the use of duodenoscopes. Participants in the FDA’s General Hospital and Personal Use Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee discussed how particular aspects of duodenoscopes have led to recent

FDA Discussion Of Duodenoscopes Points To Several Causes For Safety Issues Read More »

How Community Hospitals and ASCs Can Keep Up With Endoscope Documentation Requirements

April 30, 2025 / Hospital Management, Infection Control, Joint Commission, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety, Regulatory Compliance /

When community hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are visited by accreditation agencies like The Joint Commission (TJC) or DNV, they are held to the same strict endoscope documentation requirements as academic medical centers. While it may seem unfair for these smaller facilities with access to fewer resources to be held to the same strict

How Community Hospitals and ASCs Can Keep Up With Endoscope Documentation Requirements Read More »