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. 2016 Dec 1;44(12):1675-1677.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2016.06.029. Epub 2016 Sep 7.

Assessing residual contamination and damage inside flexible endoscopes over time

Cori L Ofstead  1 , Harry P Wetzler  2 , John E Eiland  2 , Otis L Heymann  2 , Sarah B Held  3 , Michael J Shaw  4
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Assessing residual contamination and damage inside flexible endoscopes over time

Cori L Ofstead et al. Am J Infect Control. .

Abstract

Researchers evaluated flexible endoscope damage and contamination levels at baseline and 2 months later. Postcleaning test results exceeded benchmarks for all gastroscopes and no colonoscopes. Microbial growth was found in samples from 47% of fully reprocessed endoscopes at baseline and 60% at follow-up. Borescope examinations identified scratches, discoloration, debris, and fluid inside endoscopes. Irregularities changed over time. Study evaluations allowed damaged and contaminated endoscopes to be identified and re-reprocessed or sent for repairs.

Keywords: Adenosine triphosphate; Colonoscope; Epidemiology; Gastroscope; Microbial cultures; Reprocessing.

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