With concern in recent years over inadequate reprocessing of endoscopes, a look at some of the key steps and measures that can be taken to tackle the issue, and thus reduce the risk of infection from contaminated devices.
Concerns have been raised over inadequate reprocessing of scopes in recent years, and there is growing evidence of infections arising from contaminated devices. According to the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG),1 there have been four types of microorganisms which have merited particular attention during the last two decades:
The BSG guidance1 highlights the fact that most flexible endoscopes are classed as ‘semi-critical devices’, as they come into contact with mucous membranes during use, and present ‘a moderate degree of infection risk if contaminated at the time of use’.
The Health and Social Care Act: Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance (published in England in 2008, and updated in 2015)4 emphasises the need for staff to be trained in decontamination processes, and to hold appropriate competencies for their role. It stresses the need for monitoring systems to ensure that decontamination processes are fit for purpose and meet required standards, and also requires a system to be in place for tracking devices throughout the decontamination process. The law states that the Code must be taken into account by the Care Quality Commission when it makes decisions about registration.
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