NEW YORK - The proper disinfection of endoscopes has reached national media. After a recent 

 outbreak at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, more attention is being paid to the proper cleaning of these delicate medical instruments.

Healthcare officials were interviewed last week by reporters on ABC's morning program, "Good Morning America." They reported that 15 million endoscopic procedures are performed in the United States annually, with the chance of become infected from a contaminated endoscope being one in 1.8 million,

However, other officials disagree. David Lewis, a microbiologist with the University of Georgia, reportedly told officials on the program that the infection rate could be as high as several patients per 100 procedures. 

Tracing a specific microbe or bacteria back the endoscope after a patient becomes ill can be a difficult process, potentially altering the true infection rates. 

Hospital officials at the Summit Surgical Center in Voorhees, N. J. are facing a lawsuit from 1,800 former patients who may have been treated with endoscopes that were not cleaned properly. The machine the center was using to clean the instruments was reportedly not working properly for a two-week period. 

Officials at the Food and Drug Administration and the journal Gastrointestinal Endoscopy say endoscopes are not being cleaned to industry standards. 

Officials are now pursing disposable endoscope technology to rid the procedure of potential noscomial infections. 

News

Sterile Processing

 sterile processing page provides an inside look into the sterile processing (or central supply) department in the hospital where surgical instruments are cleaned, sterilized, and reprocessed in order to disinfect, remove bioburden, and prep for upcoming procedures. Sterile processing applies to not only the knives, scalpels, scissors, forceps, and clamps used in surgery, but also instruments such as endoscopes and duodenoscopes. 

 reports on the latest technology but also on the means to disinfect that technology. Also, the trend toward making more disposable surgical equipment. What does that mean for the sterile processing team?

Environmental Services

 environmental services (EVS) page recognizes the team responsible for sanitation and cleaning within the health care system. EVS personnel are an integral component of infection prevention in the hospital, working closely together with the health care staff to ensure patient safety and hygiene standards. 

 keeps a close eye on developments in the environmental services industry and reports on any peer-reviewed literature. This page also features video interviews with EVS and the professionals who interact with them.

Endoscope Disinfection Controversy Continues