Rigorous reprocessing doesn’t free scopes of contamination

Editor's Note

This study by Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and associates found that more rigorous reprocessing was not consistently effective in freeing endoscopes of contamination, and many had scratches and dents that could harbor blood, tissue, and bacteria.

Even after reprocessing using current guidelines or additional measures, 12 of 20 gastroscopes and colonoscopes tested positive for bacterial growth, and 17 of the scopes had to be returned to manufacturers for repair because of serious defects.

The findings reinforce the need for routine visual inspection and cleaning verification tests recommended in new reprocessing guidelines, the authors say.

This longitudinal study involved visual inspections with a borescope, microbial cultures, and biochemical tests for protein and adenosine triphosphate to identify endoscopes in need of further cleaning or maintenance. Three assessments were conducted over a 7-month period. Control group endoscopes reprocessed using customary practices were compared with intervention group endoscopes subjected to more rigorous reprocessing.