Podcast: US FDA Experts Caution Against Banning EtO, Encourage More Duodenoscope Training

Health-care experts are concerned about the potential public risk posed by ethylene oxide emissions but said banning the sterilizing agent without a backup plan is likely to have devastating effects. Recently recorded deaths due to duodenoscope infections has been concerning, but the experts put the blame on inadequate cleaning of the device by staff members rather than on the device itself. The solution, they find, is a better trained workforce.