A multi-site prospective study led by J. Scott Ferguson, MD, professor (CHS), Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, found that even when guidelines were followed for cleaning and disinfecting flexible bronchoscopes, residual contamination remained in all 24 instruments analyzed. 

The authors recommend a shift toward the use of sterilized bronchoscopes. 

The study was the subject of a press release by the manufacturer of a single-use disposable bronchoscope instrument, following presentation of the research at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control's annual conference (APIC 2018) on June 13-15, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Dr. Ferguson's clinical research focuses on advances in interventional pulmonology, including the use of novel imaging technologies such as virtual bronchoscopy, navigational bronchoscopy, and utilization of radiographic imaging for bronchoscopic procedures.

Resources:

• Ofstead CL, Quick MR, Wetzler HP, Eiland JE, Heymann OL, Sonetti DA, Ferguson JS. 2018. Effectiveness of Reprocessing for Flexible Bronchoscopes and Endobronchial Ultrasound Bronchoscopes. Chest. S0012-3692(18)30802-X.
• "New Study Finds Reusable Bronchoscopes Contaminated and Damaged Even When Proper Cleaning and Disinfection Steps are Taken," Cision PR Newswire, June 19, 2018