Reprocessed Endoscope Storage

8 Steps for Proper Endoscope Maintenance

Proper endoscope maintenance will improve patient safety and save money by lengthening the life of the equipment, according to Endoscope Precision Parts in Davie, Fla. Here the company presents eight steps for endoscope reprocessing, based on guidelines from the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates .

1. Pre-clean. Immediately after the procedure, wipe the endoscope with an approved enzymatic solution and flush out channels with a solution to lubricate and loosen debris. Wash the suction, air and water channels according to the manufacturer's instructions.

2. Test for leaks. Immerse the scope in water and test for leaks, following your manufacturer's instructions.

3. Soak and clean. Using the proper type and amount of enzymatic solution, fill the endoscope channels and soak for the prescribed time. While it is soaking, brush out the channels and clean the valve-ports, all valves, attachments and the exterior of the scope. After the soak, flush out the channels once again and clean behind the device's elevator. Repeat the process if necessary.

ASGE and SHEA issue updated multisociety guideline on reprocessing ...

JUNE 1, 2011 – The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) have updated their 2003 joint guideline for reprocessing gastrointestinal endoscopes to reaffirm reprocessing methods and take into account evolved technology and disinfection systems.

The initial guideline, published in 2003, was drafted in collaboration with multiple physician and nursing organizations, infection prevention and control organizations, federal and state agencies, and industry leaders to develop evidence-based guidelines for reprocessing gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes. ASGE, SHEA and nine other collaborating organizations have updated the previous guideline with additional discussion of new or evolving reprocessing issues and updated literature citations. The updated guideline, "Multisociety guideline on reprocessing flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes: 2011," is published in the June issues of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy , the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the ASGE, and of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology , the scientific journal of SHEA.

To date, all published occurrences of pathogen transmission related to GI endoscopy have been associated with failure to follow established cleaning and disinfection/sterilization guidelines or use of defective equipment. Despite strong data regarding the safety of endoscope reprocessing, clinicians' concerns about the potential for pathogen transmission during endoscopy have raised questions about the best methods for disinfection or sterilization of these devices between patient uses. Since the 2003 guideline, high-level disinfectants, automated reprocessing machines, endoscopes and endoscopic accessories have all evolved; however, the efficacy of decontamination and high-level disinfection is unchanged and the principles guiding both remain valid.

"Endoscopy is a safe and effective procedure. Despite the large number and variety of GI endoscopic procedures performed, documented instances of infectious complications remain rare, with an estimated frequency of 1 in 1.8 million procedures," said Bret T. Petersen, MD, FASGE, chairman, ASGE Quality Assurance in Endoscopy Committee. "Since the 2003 guideline was published, additional outbreaks of infection related to suboptimal infection prevention practices during endoscopy or lapses in endoscope reprocessing have been well publicized. Given the ongoing, but rare, occurrences of endoscopy-associated infections attributed to lapses in infection prevention, an update of the multisociety guideline was warranted.

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