Researchers uncovered the ingredient - infant gas relief drops - may be leading to the scope contamination , according to philly.com.
Here are five things to know:
1. Investigators found white fluid inside various colonoscopies and gastroscopes after they had been disinfected and determined ready for use.
2. Physicians often put the drops into scopes during colonoscopies and other procedures to limit the bubbles inside a patient's body that obstruct visibility. However, researchers found the drops may help bacteria grow inside the scopes.
3. Based on these findings, researchers advise providers to try avoiding these products until they can conduct more researchers on the drops' impact on patient safety.
4. Researchers have not yet specifically tied the drops to patient infections. Rather, the study illustrated the drops could potentially increase contamination risk.
5. In a 2009 letter, Center Valley, Pa.-based Olympus told customers the drops may be difficult to remove from endoscopy equipment, and therefore providers should use the lowest possible dosage to obtain their desired outcome.
"Finding residual fluid in scopes that should be dry would be troubling alone. The finding of fluid containing simethicone suggests we have more serious problems. It could explain why we are having more trouble getting these scopes clean," lead study author said.
More GI/endoscopy news:
Dr. Wa Xian receives AGA funding for IBD stem cell research: 4 notes
Vitality Biopharma announces new patent filing for IBD pain relief: 4 notes
The US Department of Veterans Affairs expands eligibility for hepatitis C treatment: 5 points