{"id":353320,"date":"2016-06-03T13:34:34","date_gmt":"2016-06-03T18:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/olympus-scopes-infection-faqs.html"},"modified":"2023-11-25T13:13:51","modified_gmt":"2023-11-25T18:13:51","slug":"olympus-scopes-infection-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/olympus-scopes-infection-faqs.html","title":{"rendered":"Olympus Scope Superbug Infection: FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Olympus Scope Superbug Infection: FAQ<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Olympus duodenoscopes have been linked to deadly CRE infections due to design flaws that made proper cleaning nearly impossible. Despite early warnings and mounting evidence, Olympus delayed recalling the devices, leading to widespread litigation.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Between 2010 and 2015, people all over the country came face-to-face with a deadly\u00a0superbug\u00a0outbreak. Infected patients were from Pittsburgh, Seattle, Los Angeles, and the Netherlands. The victims had all had a procedure involving a medical scope called the Olympus\u00a0TJF-Q180V duodenoscope<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After having the procedure, the patients tested positive for a\u00a0superbug\u00a0that was so resistant to antibiotics that health officials called it a “nightmare bacteria.” The infection patients caught was carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).<\/p>\n

This article answers questions about the Olympus scope infections and the litigation surrounding the device. You’ll also learn your legal options if you are harmed by a medical device and how to find legal help<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What is the Olympus Scope?<\/h2>\n

The Olympus scope, or duodenoscope, is a medical device used in the procedure endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography<\/a>\u00a0(ERCP). Doctors insert a flexible, snake-like flexible endoscope down a patient’s throat and into the digestive tract.<\/p>\n

The Olympus Scope allows doctors to treat a variety of conditions, including:<\/p>\n