Bronchoscope-Related "Superbug" Infections.

This study's findings suggest that bronchoscopes pose an under-recognized potential for transmission of CRE and related MDROs, warranting greater public awareness, enhanced preventive measures and updated reprocessing guidance. The cleaning and high-level disinfection of bronchoscopes in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions may not always be sufficiently effective to eliminate this risk. Several risk factors for the transmission of these multidrug-resistant bacteria by a reprocessed bronchoscope were identified, including use of a damaged or improperly serviced bronchoscope. Recommendations are provided to improve the safety of flexible bronchoscopes, including supplementing their reprocessing with an enhanced measure such as sterilization, and strict adherence to a periodic servicing and maintenance schedule consistent with the bronchoscope manufacturer's instructions. PMID: 31421109 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Chest - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Chest Source Type: research