In Part I of this blog we pointed out that “The #1 responsibility of everyone involved in reusable medical device processing is to minimize the risk of patient harm...
The #1 responsibility of everyone involved in reusable medical device processing is to minimize the risk of patient harm caused by a device that remains contaminated with organic debris after...
Over the past several years this blog has frequently addressed the many problems caused by contaminated duodenoscopes. According to a recent study, data from three major hospitals documented the fact...
In Part I of this blog we discussed the fact that several reusable device manufacturers claim that their cleaning and sterilization IFUs are ‘validated.’ We then raised two important...
The most misunderstood and overlooked aspect of any reusable device manufacturer’s instructions for disinfecting, cleaning and sterilizing their product is whether those instructions for use (IFUs) have been ‘validated’ by...
In a previous blog we addressed issues surrounding the proper operation and maintenance of steam sterilizers, including the use of monitoring tools. These monitoring tools should include process challenge...
In Part I of this blog we pointed out that over the past 30 years, there has been a very significant increase in the number of outpatient surgical procedures....
Over the past 30 years, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of outpatient surgical procedures done in the United States. The number of outpatient procedures surpassed 54...
According to the CDC, over 30,000 patients die every year in the U.S. from a surgical infection. Among hospital acquired infections (HAIs), surgical site infections (SSIs) are associated with greater...
In Part I we reviewed the FDA’s latest Safety Communication on duodenoscopes that was issued on April 12, 2019. In that Safety Communication the FDA listed the patient infection...
