Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Internal Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta Timur, Indonesia
  • 2 Fortis Escorts Liver and Digestive Diseases Institute, New Delhi, India
  • 3 Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
  • 4 Department of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 5 Department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
  • 6 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
  • 7 Endoscopy Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong
  • 8 Endoscopy Unit, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt
  • 9 Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, India
  • 10 NKC Institute of Gastroenterology, Songklanagarind Hospital, Songkhla, Thailand
  • 11 Department of Internal Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
  • 12 Cantel Medical Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
  • 13 Beijing Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
  • 14 Institut Arnault Tzanck, Saint Laurent, France
Dig Endosc, 2017 Jan;29(1):3-15.
PMID: 27696514 DOI: 10.1111/den.12745

Abstract

The aim of this position statement is to reinforce the key points of hygiene in digestive endoscopy. The present article details the minimum hygiene requirements for reprocessing of endoscopes and endoscopic devices, regardless of the reprocessing method (automated washer-disinfector or manual cleaning) and the endoscopy setting (endoscopy suite, operating room, elective or emergency procedures). These minimum requirements are mandatory for patient safety. Both advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies should be carried out in an environment that is safe for patients and staff. Particular attention is given to contaminants. Procedural errors in decontamination, defective equipment, and failure to follow disinfection guidelines are major factors contributing to transmission of infection during endoscopy. Other important risk factors include inadequate cleaning, use of older endoscopes with surface and working channel irregularities, and contamination of water bottles or irrigating solutions. Infections by multidrug-resistant organisms have become an increasing problem in health-care systems worldwide. Since 2010, outbreaks of multidrug-resistant bacteria associated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography have been reported from the USA, France, Germany, and The Netherlands. In many endoscopy units in Asia and the Middle East, reprocessing procedures have lagged behind those of Western countries for cultural reasons or lack of financial resources. This inconsistency in standards is now being addressed, and the World Endoscopy Organization has prepared this position statement to highlight key points for quality assurance in any endoscopy unit in any country.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.