Did Your Loved One Get an Infection from an Endoscope?
Our lawyers are helping people who acquired hospital infections from specialized endoscopes called duodenoscopes, which are used for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). There have been outbreaks of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) involving Klebsiella species and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in several states, including California, Illinois, Washington and Pennsylvania. We are a national law firm representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits throughout the United States.
5 Things We Will Do to Help You
- Tell you if you have a case;
- Answer your questions;
- Explain how you can sue the manufacturer of the endoscope (duodenoscope) for compensation;
- Help you collect the information needed to make a claim;
- Make sure you receive the highest possible compensation.
Call us at 1-888-377-8900 or click here now for a FREE CONSULTATION about a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Is ERCP Endoscope Design Defective?
There is evidence that the design of certain ERCP endoscopes (duodenoscopes) is defective, not allowing for thorough cleaning of the device between uses. This poses the risk of patient-to-patient infection.
The complex design of ERCP endoscopes may impede effective “reprocessing” (cleaning between use), according to the FDA. Recent medical publications and adverse event reports associate multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in patients who have undergone ERCP with endoscopes that have been cleaned according to manufacturer instructions.
The part of the device that is difficult (maybe impossible) to fully clean is the movable “elevator” mechanism at the tip. The moving parts of this elevator mechanism contain microscopic crevices that can’t be reached with a brush.
Residual body fluids and organic debris may remain in these crevices after cleaning and disinfection. If these fluids contain microbial contamination, subsequent patients may be exposed to serious infections.
The FDA recommends a more meticulously cleaning process than provided by manufacturers; however, the agency is not sure if this will entirely eliminate the risk of transmitting infection.
Each year, more than 500,000 ERCP procedures using duodenoscopes are performed in the United States. It is the least invasive way of draining fluids from pancreatic and biliary ducts blocked by cancerous tumors, gallstones, or other conditions. It may be the least invasive, but it may not be the safest option.
In total, from January 2013 through December 2014, the FDA received 75 MDRs encompassing approximately 135 patients in the United States relating to possible microbial transmission from reprocessed duodenoscopes. In 2015, UCLA reported an outbreak involving 7 patients, 2 of whom tragically died.
It is highly likely that not all cases have been reported to the FDA.
Free Case Evaluation
You can request a free case evaluation with a lawyer on our Bad Bug Law Team®. We have won millions for people sickened by products contaminated with dangerous pathogens.
Some of the Scientific Literature
Alrabaa SF, Nguyen P, Sanderson R, et al. June 2013. Early Identification and Control of Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Originating from Contaminated Endoscopic Equipment.
Aumeran C, Poincloux L, Souweine B, et al. November 2010. Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae Outbreak After Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography.
Epstein L, Hunter JC, Arwady MA, et al. October 2014. New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase–Producing Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia Coli Associated with Exposure to Duodenoscopes.
Rutala WA and Weber DJ. October 2014. Gastrointestinal Endoscopes: A Need to Shift From Disinfection to Sterilization?
Verfaillie C, Bruno M, Poley, JW, et al. Withdrawal of a Duodenoscope Stops Outbreak by A Vim-2 Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.