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M AY 2 0 1 4 | S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
gastroscopes, which the researchers say spotlights the importance of proper
colonoscope reprocessing.
They say the inner surfaces of biopsy channels might not be fully decontami-
nated, even after a full reprocessing cycle, which highlights the importance of
E N D O S C O P E R E P R O C E S S I N G
health departments, epidemiologists and,
ultimately, to the CDC," says Dr. Petersen.
But it begs the question: Are outbreaks,
however minor, happening more often than
is known? Perhaps. "We just don't have
the red flag of the rare bug of multidrug-
resistant organisms to bring it to our atten-
tion," says Dr. Petersen.
He believes there's been a recent shift in
how experts view high-level disinfection. Is it
a major issue? And if it is, how common are
reprocessing problems at the front line?
Until prospective studies provide the
answers, Dr. Petersen believes national
organizations need to collaborate on stan-
dardizing and intensifying education sur-
rounding endoscope reprocessing and the
competency testing used to test staff per-
formances.
Even though multi-societal recommenda-
tions establish endoscope reprocessing as
a standardized process, is it being instruct-
ed and performed the same way in every
facility? "There's a realization that it'd be
very beneficial to tighten up the specifics of
the process — how it's taught, how it's
monitored and how competency is
assessed — even if doing so relies on
existing guidelines," says Dr. Petersen.
He's had recent conversations with
national experts and clinical staff who
want to establish GI-specific credentials
for high-level disinfection. It's a realistic
goal, he says, but one that will take a few
years to implement, even if all interested
parties agree to move forward with cre-
dentialing efforts.
In the meantime, facilities need to main-
tain heightened awareness of proper high-
level disinfection. "We're more attuned to
the importance of endoscope reprocessing
now than a couple years ago," says Dr.
Petersen, "even though we've always been
aware that we need to be diligent."
— Daniel Cook
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