Hospital Bacterial Outbreaks: CRE, Sepsis, and Endoscopy Infections

Going to the hospital for a routine procedure should not result in a life-threatening illness. Yet, active investigations in 2024 and 2025 have revealed that patients at major medical centers are contracting “superbug” infections after undergoing endoscopic procedures.

If you or a family member developed a severe infection—such as CRE (Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae), E. coli, or Sepsis—days or weeks after a medical procedure, the cause may not be “bad luck.” It may be a contaminated medical device.

Active Investigations: Do You Have a Case?

Nigh Goldenberg is currently monitoring and investigating potential infection clusters at specific facilities. If you were a patient at any of the following locations during the listed dates, you may have been exposed:

• Providence (2025): We are investigating reports of infections following endoscopic procedures at Providence facilities.
• Vanderbilt University Medical Center (2024): In late 2024, officials confirmed that endoscopy patients at Vanderbilt were potentially exposed to bloodborne pathogens (including HIV and Hepatitis) due to reprocessing failures.
• UCLA Health: Following previous “superbug” outbreaks involving contaminated duodenoscopes, we continue to monitor for new cases of CRE transmission.

Note: Even if your hospital is not listed, if you developed a drug-resistant infection after an upper GI procedure (ERCP), contact us immediately.

The Hidden Cause: “Dirty” Duodenoscopes

The common link in many of these outbreaks is a specialized device called a duodenoscope (specifically Olympus models TJF-Q190V, TJF-Q290V, and TJF-Q170V).

These devices are used to diagnose and treat problems in the pancreas and bile ducts. However, they feature a complex “elevator” mechanism at the tip that is notoriously difficult to clean.

The Reality of the Risk:

• Microscopic Contamination: Bacteria from a previous patient can become trapped in the device’s crevices.
• Resistance to Cleaning: Even when hospital staff follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, the device may remain contaminated.
• Fatal Consequences: In October 2025, the manufacturer (Olympus) admitted that between 2024 and late 2025, they received reports of 2 deaths and 5 serious injuries potentially linked to these devices.

[H2] Recognizing the Signs: It’s Not Always Immediate

Infections from contaminated duodenoscopes are insidious. While some patients fall ill within days, others may not be diagnosed with a related infection until months later.

Watch for these timelines:

• Within 180 Days: Diagnosis of a “Superbug” or Multi-Drug Resistant Organism (MDRO).
• Within 1 Year: Any hospitalization requiring IV antibiotics for Sepsis, Pneumonia, or blood infections following your procedure.

Symptoms to Monitor:

• Unexplained Fever/Chills: Recurring fevers that standard antibiotics don’t fix.
• Abdominal Pain: Severe cramping that persists long after the “recovery” period.
• Perforation Injuries: If you were told your organ was “accidentally punctured” during the exam, this may have been a device malfunction, not doctor error.

Why This Is Manufacturer Negligence, Not Just “Hospital Error”

Hospitals are often blamed for these outbreaks, but the root cause frequently lies with the device manufacturer.

In October 2025, Olympus issued a global warning admitting that their previous instructions for inspecting these devices were insufficient. They now state that improper reprocessing can lead to “exposure to a contaminated device which may result in patient infection”.

By failing to provide adequate tools (such as 10X magnification) and clear instructions for years, the manufacturer may be liable for the injuries and deaths that followed.

Contact an Infection Attorney Today

Hospitals and manufacturers often settle these cases quietly to avoid bad publicity. You need an advocate who understands the complex medical and legal history of these devices.

If you suspect your infection was caused by a medical procedure, contact Nigh Goldenberg for a confidential consultation. We can help determine if your injury is linked to the ongoing Olympus litigation.