There are up to 30 steps to manually clean and reprocess Biopsy, Air/Water, and Suction Valves properly, which make the cleaning process difficult.
International studies describe valves used for flexible endoscopes as a potential cause of possible cross contamination. The growing risk of multi-resistant organisms increases the demand for changing from reusable components to single-use disposable products.
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HYGENDA 2013 hygiene in endoscope reprocessing:
A study on the reprocessing of flexible endoscopes in hospitals and medical practices
Oliver Riebe, Ulrike Beilenhoff, Friedrich von Rheinbaben, Sebastian Werner
Conclusion: The results presented here of the endoscope tests (reprocessing with washer-disinfectors (WD) and validated processes) and the flushing bottles of the optics tests show that lessons were learned from the HYGEA study and improvements in everyday endoscopy facilities have been achieved. However, the consistent annual average complaint rates of about 4% as part of the quality review for colonoscopies conducted by the German Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians should prompt further efforts in endoscope reprocessing.
Hyg Med 2015; 40[3]: 88 - 96