Clin Endosc.  2015 Sep;48(5):351-355. 10.5946/ce.2015.48.5.351.

Role of Clinical Endoscopy in Emphasizing Endoscope Disinfection

• Ryu JK
• Kim EY
• Kwon KA
• Choi IJ
• Hahm KB

• KMID: 2148542
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2015.48.5.351

Abstract

Based on the unexpected Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak in Korea, it was established that the virus can spread easily, MERS exposure in hospitals carries an extreme risk for infection as well as mortality, and the sharing of information was essential for infection control. Although the incidence of exogenous infections related to contaminated endoscopes is very low, the majority of published outbreaks have been caused by various shortcomings in reprocessing procedures, including insufficient training or awareness. Ever since the inauguration of "Clinical Endoscopy" as an English-language journal of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in 2011, it has published several articles on disinfection of the endoscope and its accessories. Many Science Citation Index journals have also emphasized high-level disinfection of the gastrointestinal endoscope. Many papers have been produced specifically, since the outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in 2013. The recent review papers concluded that quality control is the most important issue among all the aspects of procedural care, including the efficiency of the gastrointestinal endoscopy unit and reprocessing room. Thorough reprocessing of endoscopes using high-level disinfection and sterilization methods may be essential for reducing the risk of infection.

Keyword

Endoscopes; Disinfection; Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; Disease outbreaks; Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae

MeSH Terms

Disease Outbreaks
Disinfection*
Endoscopes*
Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal
Endoscopy*
Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
Enterobacteriaceae
Incidence
Infection Control
Korea
Middle East
Mortality
Quality Control
Sterilization

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