Weekly Rounds: Contaminated Endoscopes and In-Use Buckets Threaten Patient Safety and More
Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending April 8.
Here are 5 highlights from ICT®’s wide-ranging coverage of the infection prevention and control world. Everything from interviews with known opinion leaders, to the news that infection preventionists and other health care professionals can use on their jobs.
1. Despite Safety Alerts, Contaminated Flexible Endoscopes Continue to Put Patients at Risk.
From 2014 to 2021, continued FDA reports of multidrug-resistant bacteria contaminating 6 types of endoscopes have had fatal consequences.
2. The FDA Issues Urgent Warning About Karl Storz Endoscopes Reprocessing Methods
The letter comes after a year of reprocessing validation testing and a voluntary medical device recall.
3. In-Use Disinfectant Bucket Identified as Source of Contamination in Hospital
The contamination was found during another study that involved culturing surfaces before and after routine daily cleaning/disinfection.
4. Viewpoint: New UK Data Show BA.2 Variant Produces More Frequent Hospitalizations Than Omicron
Evidence shows the BA.2 variant is more infectious and virulent than the Omicron variant.
5. Higher Flu Vaccination Rates for Home Health Care Workers Improves Patient Outcomes
A recent study's results also could indicate how other vaccinations, including COVID-19 and pneumonia, affect patients.
From the Derby to the Decontam Room: Leadership Lessons for Sterile Processing
April 27th 2025Elizabeth (Betty) Casey, MSN, RN, CNOR, CRCST, CHL, is the SVP of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at Surgical Solutions in Overland, Kansas. This SPD leader reframes preparation, unpredictability, and teamwork by comparing surgical services to the Kentucky Derby to reenergize sterile processing professionals and inspire systemic change.
Show, Tell, Teach: Elevating EVS Training Through Cognitive Science and Performance Coaching
April 25th 2025Training EVS workers for hygiene excellence demands more than manuals—it requires active engagement, motor skills coaching, and teach-back techniques to reduce HAIs and improve patient outcomes.
The Rise of Disposable Products in Health Care Cleaning and Linens
April 25th 2025Health care-associated infections are driving a shift toward disposable microfiber cloths, mop pads, and curtains—offering infection prevention, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in one-time-use solutions.
Phage Therapy’s Future: Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance With Precision Viruses
April 24th 2025Bacteriophage therapy presents a promising alternative to antibiotics, especially as antimicrobial resistance continues to increase. Dr. Ran Nir-Paz discusses its potential, challenges, and future applications in this technology.
