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A Survey of Reprocessing Methods, Residual Viable Bioburden, and Soil Levels in Patient-Ready Endoscopic Retrograde Choliangiopancreatography Duodenoscopes Used in Canadian Centers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Michelle J. Alfa ,
Nancy Olson ,
Pat DeGagne  and
Michele Jackson
Michelle J. Alfa*
Affiliation:
Microbiology Department, St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
Nancy Olson
Affiliation:
Microbiology Department, St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Pat DeGagne
Affiliation:
Microbiology Department, St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Michele Jackson
Affiliation:
Microbiology Department, St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
*
Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202
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Abstract

Objectives:

To obtain information about current reprocessing practices and to obtain samples from the biopsy channel to quantitate soil levels and bioburden in patient-ready flexible duodenoscopes used for endoscopic retrograde choliangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Design:

Participating centers were sent a questionnaire and a kit for on-site collection of samples from the biopsy channel of the duodenoscope.

Setting:

Thirty-seven hospitals from across Canada participated. The only criterion was that they currently used and reprocessed flexible duodenoscopes for ERCP procedures.

Methods:

The questionnaire obtained information on reprocessing practices. The kit included a detailed instruction booklet outlining sample collection and all of the tubes, sterile water, and brushes needed for it. Samples were collected on-site from all ERCP scopes in each center on Monday morning and shipped by overnight courier on ice to the research center. Each sample was assayed by routine microbiologic methods for total viable count and protein, blood, carbohydrate, and endotoxin levels.

Results:

Microbial overgrowth was present in 7% of 119 scope samples. Cleaning appeared to be reasonably well done in most of the centers, and 43% of the centers were in total compliance with basic national guidelines. The data from the scope samples indicated that there was significantly greater buildup of protein, carbohydrate, and endotoxin associated with ERCP scopes from centers using glutaraldehyde, compared with those using peracetic acid. Carbohydrate was the soil component detected most frequently and in the highest concentration in scope channels.

Conclusions:

Although cleaning was generally well done, areas for improvement included ensuring the availability of written reprocessing protocols, immersion of scopes during manual cleaning, use of adequate fluid volume for rinsing, adequate drying of scopes prior to storage, and the separation of ERCP valves from scopes during storage.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 23 , Issue 4 , April 2002 , pp. 198 - 206
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2002

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