Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018 Dec 17:7:153.
doi: 10.1186/s13756-018-0446-6. eCollection 2018.

Worldwide practices on flexible endoscope reprocessing

Affiliations

Worldwide practices on flexible endoscope reprocessing

N Kenters et al. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. .

Abstract

Background: Endoscopy related infections represent an important threat for healthcare systems worldwide. Recent outbreaks of infections with multidrug resistant micro-organisms have highlighted the problems of contaminated endoscopes. Endoscopes at highest risk for contamination have intricate mechanisms, multiple internal channels and narrow lumens that are especially problematic to clean. In light of raised awareness about the necessity for meticulous reprocessing of all types of endoscopes, a call for international collaboration is needed. An overview is presented on current practices for endoscope reprocessing in facilities worldwide.

Method: An electronic survey was developed and disseminated by the International Society for Antimicrobials and Chemotherapy. The survey consisted of 50 questions aimed at assessing the reprocessing of flexible endoscopes internationally. It covered three core elements: stakeholder involvement, assessment of perceived risks, and reprocessing process.

Results: The survey received a total of 165 completed responses from 39 countries. It is evident that most facilities, 82% (n = 136), have a standard operating procedure. There is, however a lot of variation within the flexible endoscope reprocessing practices observed. The need for regular training and education of reprocessing practitioners were identified by 50% (n = 83) of the respondents as main concerns that need to be addressed in order to increase patient safety in endoscope reprocessing procedures.

Conclusion: This international survey on current flexible endoscope reprocessing identified a large variation for reprocessing practices among different health care facilities/countries. A standardised education and training programme with a competency assessment is essential to prevent reprocessing lapses and improve patient safety.

Keywords: AER; Flexible endoscopes; Guidelines; Monitoring; Reprocessing.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.Not applicable.Not applicable.Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Percentage of facilities with central and decentral reprocessed flexible endoscopes in high- and middle-income countries
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Ranking of the perceived importance in relation to reprocessing flexible endoscopes for patient safety
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Availability of a training program for endoscope reprocessing staff
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Representation of methods used to dry flexible endoscopes before storage in high- and middle-income countries. AER; Automated Endoscope Reprocessor
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Influence on developed standard operating procedures by the hospital

References

    1. Kenters N, Huijskens EG, Meier C, Voss A. Infectious diseases linked to cross-contamination of flexible endoscopes. Endosc Int Open. 2015;3:E259–E265. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1392099. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Kim S. Muthusamy VR current practice of Duodenoscope reprocessing. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2016;18:54. doi: 10.1007/s11894-016-0528-7. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Reprocessing Guideline Task F. Petersen BT, Cohen J, Hambrick RD, 3rd, Buttar N, Greenwald DA, et al. Multisociety guideline on reprocessing flexible GI endoscopes: 2016 update. Gastrointest Endosc. 2017;85:282–94 e1. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2016.10.002. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Rutala WA, Weber DJ, Committee HICPA Guidedline for disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities. CDC, Atlanta, GA 2008.
    1. Committee AQAIE, Petersen BT, Chennat J, Cohen J, Cotton PB, Greenwald DA, et al. Multisociety guideline on reprocessing flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes: 2011. Gastrointest Endosc. 2011;73:1075–1084. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2011.03.1183. - DOI - PubMed