US regulators tighten requirements on reusable medical devices

U.S. health regulators on Thursday announced strict new recommendations for preventing the transmission of infections from reusable medical devices such at those that have spread "superbug" infections at several hospitals. A key change is that when manufacturers submit instructions for disinfecting the devices between uses, the Food and Drug Administration will not take the company's word that the instructions work, but will demand proof. The FDA action followed reports last month that hundreds of patients may have been exposed to pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant "superbugs," after flexible tubes called duodenoscopes were not properly disinfected between patients. Two patients at the University of California-Los Angeles died.