The ECRI Institute has issued a High Priority Hazard Report in response to recent outbreaks of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae linked to duodenoscopes used during ERCP.
The report calls for scope culturing to minimize the risk of infection.
"Minimizing the risk of infections associated with ERCP scopes is extremely difficult and it will take multiple approaches to reduce the likelihood of contamination," said James P. Keller, MS, vice president of health technology evaluation and safety, ECRI Institute.
Endoscope reprocessing has appeared on the organizations list of "Top 10 Health Technology Hazards" for the past six years. This issue was listed fourth on the 2015 list.
