Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, Calif., reported to health authorities Wednesday about a potential link between Olympus duodenoscopes and patients who were infected with pseudomonas bacteria, the Los Angeles Times reported.
According to the hospital, the potential connection was discovered in June during a review of lab samples. Thus far, three patient infections have been reported to health officials, but that number could grow as Huntington completes its investigation.
"We are still investigating the potential link and have engaged two nationally renowned medical research facilities for assistance," Paula Verrette, MD, senior vice president for quality and physician services and CMO at Huntington Memorial, told the Los Angeles Times.
While the link between the scopes and the infections has not been confirmed, the hospital alerted the patients who may have been infected. The hospital did not, however, provide further details on the three cases or the number of patients exposed to these scopes, according to the report.
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