1 1 8
O U T P A T 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 | J U N E 2 0 1 5
Following the recent duodenoscope out-
break, which left several patients dead
due to problems with the cleaning of
these tricky devices, some have been
making the push for low-temperature
sterilization for gastrointestinal scopes.
Low-temperature sterilization uses a
variety of sterilants, including ethylene
oxide or hydrogen peroxide, to kill near-
ly all microbes on the scopes.
Sterilization provides a higher level of
assurance that the microorganisms have
been killed when compared to high-
level disinfection. Many are now consid-
ering sterilization for notoriously hard-
to-clean scopes such as duodenoscopes,
with the hope it will prevent outbreaks.
It's important to note that low-temperature sterilization doesn't negate the need for
manual cleaning — your staff will still need to pre-clean, scrub and flush the scopes.
While, in theory, low-temperature sterilization could cut your risk of contamination, it
can also create a false sense of security since sterilization, like high-level disinfection,
is dependent on other steps in the process. If an instrument isn't properly cleaned
then it might not be possible to disinfect or to sterilize the device.
Sterilization isn't foolproof, but it is seriously being considered as the next step in
endoscope reprocessing. Currently, some societies are considering a change in their
guidelines that would recommend that all gastrointestinal scopes be sterilized.
If you're considering adding low-temperature sterilization to your facility, consider
several factors. No sterilant is considered better than another. While ethylene oxide
LOW-TEMP STERILIZATION
Is Low-Temp the Way of the Future?
z SENSITIVE SCOPES As more focus on prevent-
ing outbreaks linked to tricky scopes, low-tempera-
ture sterilization is coming to the front and center.
