293 patients at Mass. hospital possibly endangered by improperly disinfected colonoscopes

Baystate Noble Hospital may have been exposed to hepatitis, HIV from colonoscopies


Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield, Mass., may have been exposed to hepatitis, HIV from improperly disinfected colonoscopies, according to an article on the Fox61 website.

Between June 11, 2012 and April 17, 2013 the hospital performed colonoscopies on 293 patients, but did not properly disinfect the colonoscopes after use.

The issue arose after the hospital began using new colonoscopes, which had a different disinfection process thanthe one previously used instruments required. 

A failure in training led to an issue in which “the disinfection of those endoscopes between procedures did not adequately expose the devices’ single water irrigation channel to high-level disinfection during the last phase of cleaning.”

Read the article.

 

 



January 27, 2016


Topic Area: Industry News


Recent Posts

Regulations Take the Lead in Healthcare Restroom Design

Infection-control guidance and water management standards drive earlier planning, smarter fixtures and more resilient restroom environments.


AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital Opens Expanded Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit

Construction began in July 2025 and included 12 new inpatient rehabilitation beds, bringing the unit’s total to 29.


HSHS and Lifepoint Rehabilitation Partner on New Inpatient Rehab Hospital in Green Bay

The 40-bed hospital will be named the Hospital Sisters Health System | Rehabilitation Hospital.


Turning Facility Data Into ROI: Where Healthcare Leaders Should Start

Better data, smarter tools and small facility upgrades can drive measurable returns, guide ambulatory strategy and improve patient experience.


Sutter Health Breaks Ground on Advanced Cancer Center and Care Complex

The new center, located on Sutter’s Memorial Medical Center campus, will feature four stories and 165,000 square feet of modernized, patient-centered space.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.