The Great Plains Quality Innovation Network would like to draw attention to a recent Health Advisory issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Advisory addresses the public health need for healthcare providers and facilities to properly maintain, clean and disinfect or sterilize reusable medical devices.
Recent infection control lapses due to non-compliance with recommended reprocessing procedures highlight a critical gap in patient safety. Healthcare facilities (e.g., hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, clinics and doctors’ offices) that utilize reusable medical devices are urged to immediately review current reprocessing practices at their facility to ensure they are complying with all steps as directed by the device manufacturers and have in place appropriate policies and procedures that are consistent with current standards and guidelines.
For more information, review the CDC Health Advisory.
Source: Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network
September 11, 2015
CDCHAN-00382