The FDA issued a safety alerton the duodenoscope contamination rate. While scope-associated infections are decreasing, clinicians have not yet eliminated them.
The American Gastroenterological Association urged its members to stay vigilant about duodenoscope reprocessing and adhere to manufacturer best practices.
The FDA said three people died and 45 people developed infections from contaminated scopes in the past six months.
Up to 5.4 percent of properly collected samples tested positive for "high concern" organisms, including Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology monitors the issue and assists the FDA in efforts to eliminate device-transmitted infections.