CRE and ERCP

CHARLESTON, SC, March 12, 2015 – Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is generally referred to as a “super-bug” due to its widespread antibiotic resistance and it is a challenging bacterium for all medical specialties. The gastrointestinal scopes used in Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are unlike the endoscopes for upper and lower endoscopy and include an especially narrow channel which provides the ability to perform complex therapeutic procedures in the biliary tree or pancreas.

On January 21, 2015, a group of gastroenterology and GI surgery physician groups and a GI nursing organization issued a physician advisory titled, “Gastroenterology Societies Discuss Patient Safety in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.” Described are the key factors involved including a description of the bacteria and a discussion of the endoscopes and procedures. Endoscope care and meticulous cleaning and disinfection are also discussed as critical to avoiding additional transmission of infection. Although no simple answers exist, the CDC, the FDA, the Societies and manufacturers are working continuously and diligently to prevent outbreaks through vigilance at all levels from endoscope reprocessing through endoscope redesign.

For additional information see below:

http://www.asge.org/publications/publications.aspx?id=17913

http://www.asge.org/assets/0/73730/2eb997ca-bf38-4898-9667-b30977c097d8.pdf

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm434871.htm

www.SGNA.org – FDA Releases Safety Communication: Design of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Duodenoscopes May Impede Effective Cleaning