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Hepatitis C outbreaks at three Toronto colonoscopy clinics kept secret

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/28/2014 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
In all the gazillion (ok maybe 8-10) colonoscopies I've had over the years I never once gave thought to safety or procedures or even the chance of contracting something from the procedure itself.

Next time I think I'll ask a few questions first.

Just though it would make some people aware of some risks that might come with the procedure.

www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2014/09/27/hepatitis_c_outbreaks_at_three_toronto_colonoscopy_clinics_kept_secret.html
Posted 9/28/2014 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Lovely. I had no idea about multi dose vials and that its so easy for the remaining doses to become infected? How is this allowed to be used? Here it was hep c, which is pretty rotten, but it could just as easily been hiv.

In a related topic, how about s the actual scope controlled? How do they clean it after each use...or is it covered with a protective, disposable sleeve or something?
Posted 9/28/2014 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
I remember reading a study about the type of disinfectant used after actually causing infection and colitis by breaking down the mucus barrier. They were not rinsing all of it off properly or something. Forgot about that till now.

I just remember getting an injected sedative and then lights out for me on the last one. I was awake for one which totally sucked, but I didn't ask or pay attention to what they did before or after as I was more concerned about this giant hose being stuffed up my butt :)

Would be interesting to learn more about really. Watching it on the monitor and having the GI explain everything she was seeing was pretty darn cool though. All the inflammation scarred me though... the damage that was done from it.
Posted 9/28/2014 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
When I had my last scope I asked them how they clean it but I forgot. I remember the nurse explaining it to me though. Not very helpful, I know.
Posted 9/28/2014 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
I googled how they clean a scope and found this:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100798338

Sorry, I can't get it to link but you can copy and paste it in to your browser
Posted 9/28/2014 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
What a disgrace!..and it was kept quiet, so the same problems re occurred.
Posted 9/29/2014 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
Nothing new been going on for years,I have perhaps a thread on this and also perhaps
leaving chemicals on the scope, glutaraldehyde causing chemical colitis.
Old Mike
Posted 9/29/2014 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Every once in a while I see someone post on here who had come down with C-Diff shortly after a colonoscopy. I have always wondered if that was more than just a coincidence.
Posted 9/29/2014 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
i've been avoiding colonoscopies for a while because of something like this. i do not trust how the scopes are cleaned whatsoever. not sure how else my GI can take a look but i'm dreading my next one.
Posted 9/29/2014 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Talking about that procedure, my UC always gets worse after having one.
Posted 9/30/2014 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
I'm thinking of not having another Colonoscopy for quite some time. I am in symptomatic remission and have been since from around April I think. I had my colonoscopy in Feb of this year, and everything is going well, why would I want to jeopardize that with another colonoscopy which my GI suggested next month! Ermm no thanks!

Another reason is this...

For every single treatment that I have paid for, whether that has been for a Dentist, Doctor, Optician, whatever, it all ends up going pear shaped, at my expense and distress, nothing is ever done correctly, "sloppy" is the word I would use to describe the work ethics here, and believe me I am easily pleased! and whilst I cannot complain about my first Colonoscopy, I have no confidence that I will get lucky again next time..and this post confirmed my worst fears..if anyone is vulnerable to that, than I firmly believe it would be me.
Posted 9/30/2014 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
It's not fair to single out Canada. Filthy colonoscopies are everywhere:

blog.aarp.org/2013/06/12/colonoscopy-instruments-putting-people-at-hepatitis-and-infection-risk/
Now a study at five hospitals nationwide finds that three out of 20 endoscopes that are inserted in the rectum to examine the colon for cancer retained bits of “biological dirt” from past patients, putting people at risk for hepatitis and infection.

“Three out of 20 is an unexpectedly high number of endoscopes failing a cleanliness criterion,” Marco Bommarito, an investigator with 3M’s infection prevention division, which conducted the study, told the Los Angeles Times. “Clearly, we’d like no endoscopes to fail a cleanliness rating.”

The study, presented at the annual conference for the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., found that rates for colon dirt were as high as 30 percent for reusable endoscopes used for upper gastrointestinal exams, the Times reported.
Posted 10/1/2014 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
One of these clinics is where I've gotten all of my colonoscopies done… scary.
Posted 5/7/2016 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Which clinics had problems?

It would be nice for patients to be told so we can know to get tested...
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