Another Medical Device Associated With Bacterial Infections

Enduring a medical procedure usually involves some level of anxiety, but new and innovative medical devices have made the process easier in terms of the ability to pinpoint an issue and better comfort levels for the patient. Common ailments reported by people all across the country are gastric reflux, gallstones or tumors. A way to for doctors to investigate the area is using a duodenoscope. Duodenoscopes (an endoscope of sorts) are flexible tubes snaked down a patient's throat to diagnose or treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Physicians perform about 500,000 such procedures every year in the United States.

The intricate design of duodenoscopes which are used to drain fluids from blocked pancreatic and biliary ducts, has been linked to bacterial infections. There have been reports of serious infections occurring in patients leading to complications. If you or someone close to you has undergone a procedure that led to further treatment for a possible infection, contact a personal injury attorney who can assist you in determining if you have a case that can be traced back to a procedure involving a duodenoscope.

As noted by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA):

“Duodenoscopes are flexible, lighted tubes that are threaded through the mouth, throat, and stomach into the top of the small intestine (duodenum)...”

This device enables the medical professional to look at small ducts in the small intestine and drain fluids from pancreatic and biliary ducts blocked by tumors, gallstones or other conditions

A special Senate Committee recently investigated the bacterial infection alleged against the duodenoscopy and what is worrying, is that it is claimed that the manufacturer knew of the defect took almost two years to report it to the American FDA and hospitals using the devices.

They found that closed-channel duodenoscopes, which can be difficult to clean and sterilize, were linked to at least 250 cases of antibiotic-resistant infections worldwide from 2012 to early 2015.

In fact, in a major development, the FDA has now approved a modified design to help mitigate the increased infection risk.

Sometimes, a minor procedure can turn into a deadly medical event. Hospitals have been known to be breeding grounds for the spread of bacterial infections, but at a more intimate level, medical equipment itself may have defects or a poor design which can lead to devastating consequences for patients. The duodenoscope has been one such piece of medical equipment. Its design has required intense sterilization which has fallen short in many instances and patients have suffered. We are here to help.

Representing the San Jose area and surrounding cities, Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, LLP can represent you in your defective product case. Arrange a complimentary consultation to determine if you have the right to pursue a financial settlement to compensate for any costs associated with your medical emergency and recovery. Schedule a consultation with our California defective product lawyers today.

• Bacterial Infections Associated with Duodenoscopes: FDA’s Actions to Better Understand the Problem and What Can be Done to Mitigate It
• Dirty scopes needlessly infected scores of patients, investigation finds
• Medical Device Maker Failed to Report Infections, Senate Report Says
• Duodenoscope Surveillance Sampling & Culturing Reducing the risks of Infection
• FDA clears Olympus duodenoscope with design modifications