title: Does the endoscope control head need to be disinfected between examinations?
abstract: An evaluation was made of the incidence of contamination of endoscope control heads during gastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy, and of the efficacy of a simple disinfection technique. Contamination of the control heads occurred in 4 out of 17 examinations. Scrubbing in detergent followed by wiping with swabs impregnated with 70% isopropyl alcohol and 2% chlorhexidine achieved adequate disinfection of artificial heavy contamination of the control head. The endoscope control head represents a potential source of cross-infection and should not be neglected in any cleaning procedure.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Unit, General Infirmary, Leeds.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Sobala
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lincoln
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Axon
mesh_terms: D000433:1-Propanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000433:1-Propanol; D002710:Chlorhexidine