At ESGE Days 2021*, Pentax Medical hosted a symposium to hear from key opinion leaders on Scientific Perspectives on Hygiene Innovation in Endoscopy. The majority of the insights shared in this article were presented during this symposium
Flexible endoscopes are still predominantly reusable devices. During their use, they can become heavily contaminated with the patient’s microbial flora. To ensure patient safety, meticulous cleaning and high-level disinfection is needed to guarantee clean and safe use on subsequent patients. Continuously working to improve patient safety and infection prevention is therefore at the forefront of endoscopists, nurses and reprocessing personnel’s focus.
“Infections caused by endoscopes can have an incredible impact both on patients and staff,” commented Prof. Marco Bruno, head of gastroenterology and hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam. “I have had personal experience with infections at my hospital, involving 30 patients. However, solutions have been created to improve patient safety and infection prevention, over the years.”1
The importance of drying in endoscope reprocessing
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
