As an established physician, I wish to disseminate any misinformation distributed by sensationalist media regarding disease outbreak in GI practices.

Our practice recently received numerous inquiries regarding risk of infection with endoscopic procedures, after national news coverage of an outbreak of “superbug” CRE (Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae) at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA.

Immediately upon receiving news of the outbreak, our practice acted swiftly and took extra steps to ensure the safest environment for our patients. However, it is necessary to clarify the information sensationalized by the media, in the interest of keeping all of my patients and the general public well-informed.

These infections were result of ERCP procedures, performed on extremely sick patients in the hospital to manage diseases of pancreas, bile ducts and liver. It is important to clarify that these instances of infection all occurred in hospitals where rates of infection are significantly higher than normal. Infection rates in hospitals are not an accurate reflection of infections in other settings.

What the media failed to clarify concerns me considerably as a physician, as sensationalist news is causing undue anxiety to patients undergoing endoscopy. Most patients undergo colonoscopy and upper endoscopy at outpatient facilities that traditionally cater to a healthier population. These centers are significantly less likely to harbor such superbugs.  Moreover, most quality ambulatory surgery centers carry a certificate of accreditation by AAAHC or an equivalent national regulatory agency. These centers are strictly regulated by their accreditation organization. Our practice utilizes only the best centers and resources for our patients.

If the issue still concerns you, there are additional steps you can take to ensure the safety of your procedure. If you want to take patient safety to the next level, you should seek an endoscopy center with additional certification by ASGE (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy),  awarded to only select centers that pass stringent criteria.

Our practice utilizes the services of Newport Center Surgical (Newport Beach)  and Pacific Endoscopy and Surgery Center (Fountain Valley), both of which are AAAHC and ASGE certified.

Again, we only work with facilities that maintain highest standards  of quality and patient safety.

If you belong to our practice, and have further questions or concerns, please email us (frontoffice@drsainigi.com) or call us (Newport Beach: 949-650-5155 / Fountain Valley: 714-429-5800).

Warm regards,

Dr. Surinder Saini
Your doctor, partner, and friend.