The most common method of reprocessing flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes is cleaning and subsequent high-level disinfection, as low-temperature sterilization is often impractical.1
In this study, the research and development team from Advanced Sterilization Products examine the challenges of flexible endoscope reprocessing and the feasibility of low-temperature sterilization.
N. Omidbakhsh et al. / Journal of Hospital Infection
According to the study, sufficient decontamination of flexible endoscopes can be achieved through improved design by manufacturers, such as making them easier to clean and/or simply using more robust materials that can withstand sterilization.1
Here are some resources available on the ASP website you can use to help educate your teams on these important issues.
Omidbakhsh, N., Manohar, S., Vu, R., & Nowruzi, K. (2021). Flexible gastrointestinal endoscope processing challenges, current issues and future perspectives. Journal of Hospital Infection 110, 133-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2021.01.021 Research funded by ASP
Carbonne A, Thiolet JM, Fournier S, Fortineau N, Kassis-Chikhani N, Boytchev M, et al. Control of a multi-hospital outbreak of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae type 2 in France, September to October 2009. Euro Surveill 2010;15(48):19734
Wendorf KA, Kay M, Baliga C, Weissman SJ, Gluck M, Verma P, et al. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-associated AmpC Escherichia coli outbreak. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;36(6):634e42
Pajkos A, Vickery K, Cossart Y. Is biofilm accumulation on endoscope tubing a contributor to the failure of cleaning and decontamination? J Hosp Infect 2004;58(3):224e9
Nelson DB. Infectious disease complications of GI endoscopy: part II, exogenous infections. Gastrointest Endosc 2003;57(6):695e711
