GUIDELINES
OF THE

EUROPEAN SOCIETY
OF GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY
(E.S.G.E.)

 

Working group :

Axon A, Jung M, Kruse A, Ponchon T, Rey JF (ESGE)
Beilenhoff U, Duforest-Rey D, Neumann C (ESGENA)
Pietsch M, Roth K (Microbiologists and Engineer Specialists)
Papoz A, Wilson D (BOSTON SCIENTIFIC)
Kircher-Felgenstreff I (FUJINON)
Stief M (PENTAX)
Blum R, Spencer K.B. (OLYMPUS)
Mills J, Pearson Mart E (STERIS)
Slowey B (WILSON COOK)
Biering H, Lorenz U (HENKEL-ECOLAB)  

 

Check List for Purchase of Washer Disinfectors
for Flexible Endoscopes

 

Introduction

Endoscopic procedures are now well established in the diagnosis and therapy of gastrointestinal diseases. In addition to procedure related risks, the risk of infections due to endoscopic procedures has to be taken into consideration. Endoscopy associated infections are as follows :

During the last 10 years, the reprocessing of gastrointestinal endoscopes has become more and more standardised, facilitated by the increasing number of protocols that have been established for manual and automated cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes and accessories. National gastroenterology and endoscopy societies, national official bodies for infection control as well as working parties at European level have developed a variety of recommendations for manual and automated reprocessing of endoscopes. Since the eighties, a large number of endoscope washer disinfectors have come onto the market. These machines differ greatly in technology, systems and components as well as in the chemicals and disinfectants used in the machines.

The enclosed check list should raise awareness in endoscopy staff (nurses and endoscopists) and service providers to the need for staff protection measures with regard to automated reprocessing, necessary structural requirements, the diversity of components and different standardised systems available in machines.

The check list should help in the decision making when purchasing automated washer disinfectors. It should be an instrument for comparing advantages and disadvantages of machines and systems. Furthermore it should help to identify individual requirements of the respective endoscopy department regarding an automated reprocessing system.

Key points in the shaded boxes highlight important and essential aspects which have to be taken into account. Further cosiderations follow below.

Knowledge is not static and new evidence and research is constantly affecting and changing practice. New techniques and developments will have to be evaluated and proved before adopting into standardised systems.

 

Index :

This guide is split into 2 parts. The first part facilitates assessment of the existing environment and the service requirements, the second assessment of the machines under consideration. Finally, in an addendum, some points for consideration are added for those departments who would like to use the machines for the reprocessing of rigid endoscopes.