cleaning solutions or disinfec-
tants and biofilm or biobur-
den. In other words, it might
effectively ensure that the
scope can't be adequately
cleaned.
Now you know
Endoscope-related outbreaks
are rare, right? It might seem
that way. In the last few
years, you may have heard about the few deadly superbug-related out-
breaks that were related to duodendoscopes. But now that more insti-
tutions are conducting scope surveillance, the number of reports of
outbreaks related to every kind of scope is escalating rapidly. The
more people are looking, the more issues they're finding.
The problem isn't going to go away. We need more and better
research to establish the best methods for assessing endoscopes for
visual abnormalities, residual contamination and microbial growth, as
well as for figuring out how frequently we should be performing those
assessments.
Flexible endoscopes can't tolerate the heat of autoclaving, but low-
temperature sterilization has been shown effective for smaller, less
complex scopes. The problem is that colonoscopes, gastroscopes and
duodenoscopes have multiple channels and are longer, which makes
it difficult to reach every nook and cranny with sterilants.
Improved drying cabinets are another potential solution because
theoretically they should be able to get all channels and ports com-
pletely dry. The idea makes sense, but more data are needed.
In the meantime, your facility should be scrupulously following the
M A y 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 2 1
• HANDLE WITH CARE Too few facilities verify that every endoscope
is free of debris and bacteria before it's used on another patient.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
