The threat of patient cross-contamination from reused endoscopes, clamps, forceps and other durable equipment is low as long as reprocessing standards are upheld, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced in a recent consumer alert.
"Transmission of infection was extremely rare, but the potential for becoming infected by an inadequately processed device was there," said the agency, which says it has received reports of patients exposed to "microscopic amounts of blood, body fluids and tissue" through the use of improperly cleaned and sterilized instruments.
The alert advises patients that fears over device reuse should not lead them to avoid surgery, noting that the benefits of surgical intervention significantly outweigh the risks. It recommends, however, that patients ask their providers about the precautions they've taken to ensure high-quality device reprocessing.
A new website aims to educate patients on reprocessing and the efforts the agency is taking with manufacturers, healthcare providers, professional organizations and other government agencies to ensure that standards are set and met. (This particular website does not address the reprocessing of single-use devices, though.)
The FDA works with device makers to identify designs that can be effectively reprocessed and to ensure that directions for doing so are scientifically valid, the consumer alert notes, while also making sure that providers understand and comply with those directions.
David Bernard
