Recent ENT Articles
Resolving the Problem of Poor Access to Rhinolaryngoscopes
Emerging Technologies
Dr. Matthew Dahl is an otolaryngologist who sees patients at both the private Ear, Nose & Throat Center of Utah as well as on call at a local hospital. It was in the ICU recently where Dahl experienced firsthand what happens when the challenge of reprocessing endoscopes runs up against real-time patient care.
How Biofilm on Flexible Scopes Shields MDROs
Prevention Challenges
Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria can thrive in biofilm that can form on bronchoscope lumen tubes if they are not properly cleaned. Vigorous adherence to all reprocessing steps—especially precleaning at bedside—is needed to help limit the risk of cross-contamination.
More From Single-Use Endoscopy
Preventing Infection
Automated storage cabinets cut endoscope drying time by hours or even days and prevent microbe transfer that can occur when contaminated tubing is placed into the next patient, according to a study.
Patient Safety
New research shows that hanging endoscopes to dry is not adequate, since in some cases, they were found to contain the same amount of liquid after hanging for five days. Even an alcohol flush before hanging did not shorten, and in some cases lengthened, the time needed for compressed air drying.
