Fluid retention in endoscopes: A real-world study on drying effectiveness.

Background: Outbreaks linked to inadequate endoscope drying have infected numerous patients, and current standards and guidelines recommend at least 10 minutes of forced air for drying channels. This study evaluated a new forced-air drying system (FADS) for endoscopes.

Methods: Drying was assessed using droplet detection cards; visual inspection of air/water connectors, suction connectors, and distal ends; and borescope examinations of endoscope interiors.

Beyond Endoscopes: Pilot Study of Surgical Instrument Lumen Inspection.

Borescope examinations of endoscope channels are commonly described in literature, but no studies on surgical instrument lumen inspection have been published recently. Inadequately processed surgical instruments have been implicated in patient infections. This study assessed the utility of borescopes for inspecting surgical instruments.

Improving mastery and retention of knowledge and complex skills among sterile processing professionals: A pilot study on borescope training and competency testing.

Background: Health care is shifting toward minimally invasive procedures requiring increasingly complex instruments and sophisticated processing technologies. Effective training methods are needed to ensure sterile processing professionals acquire and retain essential skills. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a new training model that supports mastery and retention of complex key skills.

Splash generation and droplet dispersal in a well-designed, centralized high-level disinfection unit.

Background: Sterile processing personnel routinely decontaminate medical devices that are heavily soiled with blood, tissue, and secretions. Contamination may spread throughout processing areas, potentially exposing personnel and patient-ready devices, especially when there is insufficient separation between the dirty and clean areas.

Objective: This study aimed to identify activities that generate splash, determine how far droplets travel during manual cleaning, characterize the impact of practices on splash generation, and assess effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE) at preventing splash exposure to technicians and visitors in the decontamination unit.

The utility of lighted magnification and borescopes for visual inspection of flexible endoscopes.

Introduction: Infections have been linked to damaged or contaminated endoscopes with visible defects. Endoscope processing standards and guidelines state endoscopes should be visually inspected every time they are used. This study evaluated a new visual inspection program using magnification and borescopes in an endoscopy department that had not previously utilized these tools.

Reprocessing Effectiveness for Flexible Ureteroscopes: A Critical Look at the Evidence.

Flexible ureteroscopes are essential devices, and reusable models require meticulous cleaning and sterilization between procedures. Reprocessing is complex, time-consuming, and difficult due to the instrument's small size, fragility, and internal channel. The Food and Drug Administration recently raised concerns about the effectiveness of ureteroscope reprocessing.

Droplet dispersal in decontamination areas of instrument reprocessing suites.

Background: Personnel working in sterile processing or endoscope reprocessing departments are at high risk of exposure to tissue, blood, and patient fluids when decontaminating reusable medical instruments and equipment. The effectiveness of protective measures for reprocessing personnel has not yet been systematically evaluated in real-world settings.

Objective: This pilot project aimed to identify reprocessing activities that generate splashes, determine how far droplets can travel in decontamination areas, and assess personal protective equipment exposure during routine activities.

Duodenoscope-associated infection prevention: A call for evidence-based decision making.

Recent outbreaks of duodenoscope-associated multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) have brought attention to the infection risk from procedures performed with duodenoscopes. Prior to these MDRO outbreaks, procedures with duodenoscopes were considered safe and low risk for exogenous infection transmission, provided they were performed in strict accordance with manufacturer instructions for use and multisociety reprocessing guidelines. The attention and efforts of the scientific community, regulatory agencies, and the device industry have deepened our understanding of factors responsible for suboptimal outcomes.

The impact of continuous electrical microcurrent on acute and hard-to-heal wounds: a systematic review.

Background: Wound infections result in considerable morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Antibiotic resistance has complicated wound healing, and new, non-antibiotic-based treatment methods are being developed.

Aims: To evaluate evidence on the safety, efficacy and real-world effectiveness of electroceutical devices (ECDs) that provide continuous electrical stimulation to wounds.

Challenges in achieving effective high-level disinfection in endoscope reprocessing.

Endoscope reprocessing is often ineffective, and microbes frequently remain on endoscopes after the use of high-level disinfectants (HLDs). Several factors impact reprocessing effectiveness, including non-adherence to guidelines, use of damaged endoscopes, use of insoluble products during endoscopy, insufficient cleaning, contaminated rinse water, and inadequate drying before storage. Our team suspected that issues with HLD chemistries and monitoring could also contribute to reprocessing failures.

A Systematic Review of Disposable Sheath Use During Flexible Endoscopy.

Flexible endoscopes are exposed to blood, mucus, and other secretions during procedures. Single-use sheaths are designed to prevent contact between contaminants and reusable endoscope components. This systematic review examined findings from 22 studies that assessed endoscopic sheath use during urologic, gastrointestinal, or respiratory procedures.

Widespread clinical use of simethicone, insoluble lubricants, and tissue glue during endoscopy: A call to action for infection preventionists.

Background: Current methods for reprocessing flexible endoscopes do not consistently eliminate organic soil. The off-label use of simethicone as a defoaming agent may contribute to reprocessing failures, and endoscope manufacturers have cautioned against its use.

Methods: We sought evidence of simethicone use by interviewing hospital personnel, conducting audits, inspecting endoscopes, and conducting tests.