Dive Brief:
- In February, Olympus began recalling a medical scope, model number TJF-Q180V, that was reportedly found to have caused deadly patient infections.
- However, at least two more patient deaths and six more illnesses were linked to the device as a regulatory report from the manufacturer shows that a hospital was still using the device post-recall, The Los Angeles Times reports.
- An earlier investigation conducted by the U.S. Senate found the Olympus' reusable duodenoscope to be linked to 24 outbreaks across the world, three of which occurred in Los Angeles hospitals, such as Cedars-Sinai and UCLA.
- The name of the hospital that was still using the device has not been released.
Dive Insight:
Olympus sells about 85% of the duodenoscopes used in U.S. hospitals, the Los Angeles Times reported.
After the U.S. Senate investigation, the company said it would recall the device and replace the forceps elevator mechanism that might had been trapping bacteria inside of it.
"For the past several months, Olympus has cooperated with the committee staff by providing numerous documents, answering questions, and conducting a duodenoscope demonstration and briefing for the staff," Vice President of Corporate and Medical Communications for Olympus Corporation of the Americas Mark A. Miller said in a prepared statement in response to the investigation findings.
"Although we do not agree with all of the report's conclusions, we are closely reviewing the recommendations in the report as part of Olympus' ongoing efforts to increase patient safety associated with use of Olympus duodenoscopes," Miller added.
In March, Olympus agreed to pay the federal government $646 million in settlement following accusations of kickbacks and bribery, Healthcare Dive previously reported.