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

Autor: Ofstead CL; Ofstead & Associates, Inc., Research Department, Bloomington, MN. Electronic address: cori@ofsteadinsights.com., Hopkins KM; Ofstead & Associates, Inc., Research Department, Bloomington, MN., Preston AL; Emory University Hospital Midtown, Infection Prevention Department, Atlanta, GA., James CY; Emory University Hospital Midtown, Endoscopy Department, Atlanta, GA., Holdsworth JE; Emory University Hospital Midtown, Infection Prevention Department, Atlanta, GA., Smart AG; Ofstead & Associates, Inc., Research Department, Bloomington, MN., Lamb LA; Ofstead & Associates, Inc., Research Department, Bloomington, MN., Love KL; Emory Healthcare, Infection Prevention Department, Atlanta, GA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: American journal of infection control [Am J Infect Control] 2024 Jun; Vol. 52 (6), pp. 635-643. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Feb 24.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.02.015
Abstrakt: 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. Assessments were performed after automated endoscope reprocessor (AER) alcohol flush and air purge cycles and after 10-minute FADS cycles.
Results: Researchers evaluated drying during encounters with 22 gastroscopes and 20 colonoscopes. After default AER alcohol and air purge cycles, 100% (42/42) of endoscopes were still wet. Substantial fluid emerged from distal ends during the first 15 seconds of the FADS cycle, and droplets also emerged from air/water and suction connectors. Following FADS cycle completion, 100% (42/42) were dry, with no retained fluid detected by any of the assessment methods.
Conclusions: Multiple endoscope ports and channels remained wet after AER cycles intended to aid in drying but were dry after the FADS cycle. This study reinforced the need to evaluate the effectiveness of current drying practices and illustrated the use of practical tools in a real-world setting.
(Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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