ASC Industry News
Check out these articles for some of the latest hot topics in ASC Industry News:
Saline Shortages-Many Causes, No Simple Solution
Severe and long-standing prescription-drug shortages have become a major threat to public health and patient safety.1 Despite increased awareness and mitigation strategies, the United States has experienced shortages of many lifesaving drugs and other supplies essential to patient care. There was already a shortage of saline solution, for example, when Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, home to a key saline manufacturer, causing the problem to reach critical levels.2
Source: The New England Journal of Medicine
When it comes to high-risk human resources events, ASCs need to ensure they understand how improperly handling adverse events in human resources (HR) can significantly derail workforce productivity, cost tens of thousands of dollars and cause upward pressure on insurance rates. To assist with that effort, a new guide from MedHQ titled, “How to Mitigate Your ASC’s Top 5 HR Risks,” provides ASC leaders practical and proven strategies to implement at their facilities.
Source: ASCA/MedIQ
Almost Left Behind; Lessons Learned From a Final Count That Came Up 2 Sponges Short
The surgeon was just beginning to close the first layer of the abdomen after an exploratory laparotomy with bowel resection when we realized that we’d left 2 lap sponges inside the patient — the sponges the surgeon used to pack the wound. We had to put the patient back under and reopen to get the sponges out. The patient never left the operating room, but we were rattled by our nearest of near-misses.
Source: Outpatient Surgery
Study: Residual Moisture, Waterborne Pathogens Found Inside Flexible Endoscopes
Inadequate reprocessing and insufficient drying contributed to retained fluid and contamination found inside flexible endoscopes in this study led by noted epidemiologist Cori L. Ofstead.
Of 45 endoscopes analyzed at 3 hospitals, fluid was detected in 49%, and the prevalence of moisture varied significantly by site (5%, 83%, and 85%).
High adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were found in 22% of endoscopes, and retained fluid was associated with significantly higher ATP levels.
Microbial growth was detected in 71%, including Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Citrobacter freundii, and Lecanicillum lecanii/Verticillium dahliae.
Reprocessing and drying practices conformed with guidelines at one site and were substandard at two sites. All sites had damaged endoscopes in use.
More effective methods of reprocessing, drying, and maintenance are needed to prevent retention of fluid, organic material, and bioburden in flexible endoscopes that could cause patient illness or injury, the authors say.
Source: OR Manager/AJIC
FDA Issues Letter to Healthcare Providers On Risks of Endoscope Connectors
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 18 alerted healthcare providers and facilities about the risk of cross-contamination with 24-hour, multipatient use connectors used in gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy.
Endoscope connectors are small accessories used to connect the auxiliary water channel to a water source and irrigation tubing. To mitigate the risk of cross-contamination, the FDA recommends the use of connectors that prevent patient fluids from flowing backwards into the endoscope.
One manufacturer, Erbe USA Inc, markets a 24-hour, multipatient use endoscope connector (ERBEFLO port connector) that does not include a backflow prevention feature.
To date, the FDA has not received acceptable testing to demonstrate the safe use of these products and recommends against their use.
Source: OR Manager/FDA
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