Infection Prevention for Immunocompromised Patients: How the Single-Use Duodenoscope Changes Best Practice

Each year, an average of 700,000 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures are performed. Patients may be at risk of duodenoscope-associated infections caused by multiple drug-resistant bacteria, with 10.8% of infections being linked to the use of reusable duodenoscopes. Since 2013, reusable duodenoscopes have appeared in more Federal Drug Administration Safety Communications than any other medical device due to design challenges and reprocessing concerns. Reusable duodenoscopes have continued to show areas of contamination despite updated decontamination protocols. Implementing the use of single-use duodenoscopes can effectively break the chain of infection and significantly lower the incidence of duodenoscope-associated infections. This literature review analyzes the impact of single-use duodenoscopes on infection control and increasing protection for the immunocompromised patient. By adopting single-use duodenoscopes for all endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures performed on immunocompromised patients, health care providers provide an additional layer of safety and significantly reduce the risk of infections. Endoscopy nurses and technicians are empowered to advocate for their immunocompromised patients by increasing their knowledge around the benefits and cost-effectiveness of the single-use duodenoscope.