Could we see a wholesale move to single-use scopes, in the future, or is the cost to the environment just too great? Could there be a middle ground, and how can we achieve a balance between protecting patients and protecting the planet? These were just some of the questions debated by experts at a recent online event, hosted by Pentax Medical. Louise Frampton reports.
Significant progress has been achieved in improving patient safety in endoscopy over the years – the sector has seen significant innovation in device design, improvements in processes and collaboration between healthcare providers and industry. However, infection prevention remains a crucial topic in endoscopy. While single-use solutions are now coming on to the market to tackle issues around infection risk, balancing patient safety and sustainability is a challenge that continues to be debated in the healthcare sector.
With this in mind, Pentax Medical hosted an online discussion exploring these challenges – featuring international experts from both healthcare and industry. Opening the discussion was Professor Rocco Trisolini, director, interventional pulmonary unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy. He outlined the risk of infection from bronchoscopes.
In September 2015, a communication from the FDA highlighted 109 medical device reports regarding infection or contamination from flexible bronchoscopes for the period of 2010-2014 – 50 of these reports were in 2014. In June 2021, the FDA issued another communication outlining that, between 2015 and 2020, there were 857 reports regarding infection or contamination from flexible bronchoscopes and seven associated deaths.
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
