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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 | M AY 2 0 1 4
regularly monitoring the quality of endo-
scope reprocessing. (More on that
later.)
A study published in the journal BMC
Infectious Diseases (
tinyurl.com/ornl2m5
)
suggests biofilm builds up over time in
the channels of flexible endoscopes
because of the constant exposure to the
wet and dry phases of reprocessing
cycles. Between 40% and 50% of
patients treated with contaminated
scopes will become colonized, accord-
ing to study co-author Michelle J. Alfa,
PhD, FCCM, the principal investigator
at the St. Boniface Research Centre in
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Her study
notes that as flexible endoscopes are
repeatedly used and reprocessed, the
load of biofilm increases, as does the
risk of transmission of pathogens.
After the final rinse of the reprocess-
ing cycle, advises Dr. Alfa, wipe down
endoscopes' exteriors, its valves and
attachments with a lint-free cloth, purge
channels with 70% to 80% isopropyl
alcohol followed by forced air to ensure
channel drying, and hang scopes in stor-
age with the valves removed so the
internal channels remain dry. She says
properly storing endoscopes — dry and
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