“The fact that recent outbreaks have occurred without identified lapses of infection control is a call for action,” wrote Michael Bell, MD, deputy director of CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, in a blog post.
The protocol gives facilities a plan for how to sample the scopes and test the samples in a lab. Dr. Bell emphasized that the culturing interim protocol is not meant to replace carefully disinfecting the scopes in the first place. “But it might be a way to detect contamination, whether due to lack of adherence to manufacturer-recommended reprocessing practices or any other reason, and to prompt follow-up action to protect patients if needed.”
Outbreaks of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae have been linked to duodenoscopes at various healthcare facilities recently, which has prompted some hospitals and health systems to start culturing the scopes before returning them to the patient pool. Earlier this month, the ECRI Institute recommended culturing duodenoscopes as a way to prevent infections.
More articles on duodenoscopes:
How to safely reprocess scopes tied to ‘superbug’ infections: Experts weigh in
Cedars-Sinai reports ‘superbug’ infections tied to hard-to-clean scopes: 6 things to know
APIC, SHEA weigh in on infections tied to ERCP scopes
