Olympus scopes have been linked to drug-resistant infections, bloodstream infections, sepsis, pneumonia, and physical injuries such as perforations, lacerations, and internal bleeding. Design defects allow bacteria to survive the recommended cleaning and disinfection process, enabling transmission from one patient to the next. Our Olympus scope infection attorney is prepared to take on your case and fight for justice on your behalf.
How Are Olympus Scopes Used in Medical Procedures?
Olympus scopes are flexible, camera-equipped instruments doctors insert into the body to diagnose and treat conditions without invasive surgery. Hospital staff often disinfect these devices after each use and then return them to service for the next patient.
Some of the most common types of Olympus scope products include:
- Duodenoscopes, used in procedures involving the bile ducts, pancreas, and liver
- Colonoscopes for colon cancer screening and colon exams
- Gastroscopes used in the esophagus, stomach, and upper digestive tract
- Bronchoscopes, used for procedures in the lungs and airways
- Ureteroscopes, used to treat kidney stones and urinary tract infections
- Laparoscopes, used to perform minimally invasive abdominal surgery
Bacterial Infections Linked to Contaminated Scopes
Contaminated scopes have transmitted antibiotic-resistant bacteria between patients, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, Klebsiella, and MRSA. These organisms have developed resistance to the antibiotics doctors typically use to treat infections, leaving few treatment options.
Olympus scopes have internal channels, hinges, and other crevices where substances such as blood, tissue, and digestive fluid may accumulate. Brushes and disinfectant solutions cannot always reach these spaces. When residue remains, bacteria can multiply and be transmitted to the next patient.
Since 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that reprocessed scopes can retain bacteria even when hospitals follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Between 2014 and 2015, three patients died after contracting CRE infections from contaminated Olympus duodenoscopes at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Serious Complications and Long-Term Health Consequences
Infections and injuries caused by contaminated Olympus scopes can lead to organ failure, permanent disability, or death. Some of the most severe complications include:
- Bacteremia, which occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and spread to organs throughout the body
- Sepsis, which occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection and begins damaging the body’s tissue and organs
- Perforations and hemorrhage, which occur when the scope tears or punctures internal organs
The toll of these complications can be severe and long-lasting. Treating a resistant infection may require weeks in intensive care, repeat surgeries, home infusion therapy, and months of follow-up care. Some patients require assistance with daily activities for the rest of their lives. In the most severe cases, the victim does not survive.
Lawsuits Filed by Patients Harmed by Olympus Scopes
Across the United States, patients and families have filed lawsuits against Olympus for their contaminated scopes. The claims allege that the company sold scopes that couldn’t be reliably disinfected, knew of the contamination risk, and failed to adequately warn hospitals and patients.
If you developed an infection or injury after a procedure involving an Olympus scope, Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC can help you seek justice. We represent victims nationwide in their lawsuits against Olympus, and we won’t rest until you have secured the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, confidential case review.