LOUISIANA: Endoscopes Were Not Properly Sterilized

April 22, 2011

CDC 04-21-11

LOUISIANA: " Endoscopes Were Not Properly Sterilized "

Times-Picayune (New Orleans) (04.20.11):: Bill Barrow

Ochsner Health System (OHS) is notifying more than 200 endoscopy patients to get

screened for a range of infectious diseases including HIV and hepatitis. The

announcement this week marks the second time this year that a New Orleans

hospital has potentially exposed patients undergoing various gastrointestinal

procedures to blood-borne diseases due to improperly sanitized equipment.

Affected patients are those who had procedures at OHS' Jefferson Highway campus

between June 25, 2010, and March 2, 2011. A routine audit of laboratory

practices raised concerns that some endoscopes may have been cleaned only

manually, without undergoing a second automated disinfection. OHS said the audit

" could not confirm " that the equipment used on 222 patients had been properly

sanitized.

" The risk is very small, " said Dr. ph E. Bisordi, chief medical officer for

OHS. " We expect no transmission of infections. " If a patient has contracted an

infection, Bisordi said OHS will " take up each case on an individual basis and

offer them the support that they need. "

In all, nearly 11,000 people had endoscopic procedures at OHS during the time in

question. Ochsner's audit cleared all but 222 patients, Bisordi said.

" Transmission of infection as a result of gastrointestinal endoscopes is

extremely rare, but our patients deserve Ochsner's complete support, and we will

provide support to them for as long as it takes, " said OHS CEO Dr.

Quinlan. " We know this is unsettling news to many of our patients and our

employees. ... We deeply regret that this occurred. "

In January, Tulane Medical Center alerted 360 patients of infection-control

lapses in its endoscopic sanitation procedures.

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