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
Review
. 2020 Oct;30(4):723-733.
doi: 10.1016/j.giec.2020.06.009. Epub 2020 Aug 1.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidance on Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopes: Lessons Learned from Outbreaks, Infection Control

Isaac Benowitz  1 , Heather A Moulton-Meissner  2 , Lauren Epstein  2 , Matthew J Arduino  2
Affiliations
Review

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidance on Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopes: Lessons Learned from Outbreaks, Infection Control

Isaac Benowitz et al. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Flexible endoscopes require cleaning, high-level disinfection, and sterilization between each patient use to reduce risk of transmitting pathogens. Public health investigations have identified concerns, including endoscope damage, mishandling, and reprocessing deficiencies, placing patients at risk for transmission of bacterial, viral, and other pathogens. Findings from outbreak investigations and other studies have led to innovations in endoscope design, use, and reprocessing, yet infection risks related to contaminated or damaged endoscopes remain. Strict adherence to infection control guidelines and manufacturer instructions for use, utilization of supplemental guidance, and training and oversight of reprocessing personnel, reduce risk of pathogen transmission by flexible endoscopes.

Keywords: Cleaning; Disinfection; Duodenoscope; Endoscope; Gastrointestinal; Infection; Outbreak; Transmission.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Distal end of a colonoscope. Arrows indicate chips on the edges of glass lenses, which may contribute to reprocessing failure. Using a lens with a × 10 magnification can reveal flaws that would be missed by unaided visual examination.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Spach DH, Silverstein FE, Stamm WE. Transmission of infection by gastrointestinal endoscopy and bronchoscopy. Ann Intern Med 1993;118(2):117–28. - PubMed
    1. Rutala WA, Weber DJ. Reprocessing semicritical items: outbreaks and current issues. Am J Infect Control 2019;47S:A79–89. - PubMed
    1. Rutala WA, Weber DJ, the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. Guideline for disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities, 2008. Update: May 2019. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/.
    1. Spaulding EH. Chemical disinfection of medical and surgical materials. In: Lawrence C, Block SS, editors. Disinfection, sterilization, and preservation. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1968. p. 517–31.
    1. Archibald LK, Jarvis WR. Health care-associated infection outbreak investigations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1946–2005. Am J Epidemiol 2011;174(Suppl):S47–64. - PubMed

MeSH terms