Assessing residual contamination and damage inside flexible endoscopes over time.
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.
Ofstead & Associates, Inc, St Paul, MN. Electronic address: cori@ofsteadinsights.com.
Cori L
CL
Ofstead
Ofstead & Associates, Inc, St Paul, MN.
Harry P
HP
Wetzler
Ofstead & Associates, Inc, St Paul, MN.
John E
JE
Eiland
Ofstead & Associates, Inc, St Paul, MN.
Otis L
OL
Heymann
Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center, Maple Grove, MN.
Sarah B
SB
Held
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN.
Michael J
MJ
Shaw
D020685:Colonoscopes / Q000382:microbiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D020699:Gastroscopes / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors
Adenosine triphosphate; Colonoscope; Epidemiology; Gastroscope; Microbial cultures; Reprocessing