Survey of endoscopes reprocessing and evaluation of outcomes using bacteriologic cultures for optimization of strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61529/idjp.v35i2.531Abstract
Background: Flexible endoscopes are complex equipment that are expensive and reuse deems necessary thorough reprocessing composed of several important steps. This study aims to look into the practices used for endoscope reprocessing at a tertiary care unit and help evaluate outcomes using bacteriologic cultures at the end of High-level disinfection (HLD).
Material and Methods: The study was conducted at the endoscopy suite of Indus Hospital & Healthcare Network Karachi which is a tertiary care unit from November 2025 till February 2026. It was a hospital based cross sectional study with an embedded clinical audit component of the current endoscopic reprocessing practices using CDC Audit tool. Sixty-two endoscopes including bronchoscopes, endoscopes, colonoscopes and duodenoscopes were cultured for bacteriologic and Acid-fast bacillus (AFB) growth after HLD to serve as a measure of efficacy of disinfection.
Results: We found bacterial growth in 14 out of 62 endoscopes rendering a culture positivity rate of 23%. The highest proportion of contamination was found in colonoscopes amongst all endoscopes. Total 17 bacterial pathogens were isolated, 8 were identified as Pseudomonas species. About 74% samples were collected 12-18hrs after disinfection The mean time duration between sample collection and sample processing was 2.85 hrs.
Conclusion: Current practices displayed suboptimal adherence to recommended protocols for disinfection of endoscopes translating into positive cultures. Strategic steps were taken for formal training of the personnel, provision of recommended infrastructure and proposition of an appropriately bioengineered endoscopy suite to optimize care.
Keywords: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S., Disinfection, Endoscopes.
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