TASS back in the News

Outpatient Surgery E-Weekly update of May 12,2009 is reporting that their Instapoll for last week’s question on TASS show that 17% of those responding have Seen TASS

Nine of the 52 readers who answered last week's online poll reported that they'd experienced an outbreak of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) at their facilities. TASS is a post-operative, acute inflammation of the anterior segment of the eye that has been linked to ophthalmic viscoelastic devices, intraocular lenses and irrigation solutions used during eye surgery. Other adverse events happened much less frequently: 1 poll taker reported a case of a retained object and 2 reported wrong-site surgeries. A majority of 69%, however, reported that their facilities had been free of these adverse events.
This is the link to the E-Weekly
http://www.outpatientsurgery.net/newsletter/eweekly/2009/05/12.php#4

VA - Miami - Concern with Hepatitis From Colonoscopies

April 2,2009 - EndoNurse is reporting that Officials from three Veterans Affairs facilities in the South have issued warnings to thousands of patients in the last few months about infections the patients may face because of equipment mistakes that staff members made.

According to the Miami Herald, a team of doctors and administrators from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is investigating procedures at the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital to find out what went wrong. Colonoscopies at the facility have been halted.

To read the article, click here

For the EndoNurse link click here.

VA Implementing National Safety “Step-Up”

2/9/09 - WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is calling for a special training campaign on safety – called a “Step-Up” – from March 8 to 14 at all medical centers and outpatient clinics to ensure VA staff follow the highest standards for patient safety.
To read the complete letter click on this link.

SYNTHES releases new Sterilization Recommendations

February 2, 2009 - SYNTHES sends out a letter with new information on the Sterilization recommendations of SYNTHES devices, i.e. implants,instruments,and cases. Click on the link to download the pdf information.
SYNTHES INFORMATION

HHS Issues Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled a plan that establishes a set of five-year national prevention targets to reduce and possibly eliminate healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

To read the report please click on this link.

Were dirty surgical tools used on patients ?

The local TV station in Nashville,TN is reporting that there's an investigation under way to determine whether some patients might have been exposed to infection from colonoscopies at the VA Hospital in the area. To read the complete story click on this link.

RFID Tags Found to Interfere With Hospital Equipment

HospiMedica International is reporting that research done in Amsterdam is suggesting that RFID tags could interfere with some hospital equipment. To read the article click here for the link.

Clinic reports lapses in disinfection for Scopes

The LAS VEGAS SUN is reporting(1/2/09) that an outpatient surgery center has notified state authorities that it failed to properly disinfect instruments it uses during procedures. To read the complete story click on this link Complete Story .

This is just another reason why medical facilities need to verify their cleaning process. To find products that help you verify your cleaning process click on this link. CLEANING VERIFICATION.