DEFICIENCIES OF AUTOMATIC ENDOSCOPIC REPROCESSORS - A METHOD TO ACHIEVE HIGH-GRADE DISINFECTION OF ENDOSCOPES

Background: We show that disinfection using the automatic endoscopic r eprocessor is not complete and propose a method for high-grade disinfe ction of endoscopes. Methods: We used an automatic endoscopic reproces sor, Pyser System 83, and 2% glutaraldehyde. After each endoscopic pro cedure, the endoscopes were divided into three groups. Endoscopes in g roup A were washed only by the reprocessor. Group B endoscopes were wa shed by the reprocessor after the connectors were soaked in glutaralde hyde for 5 minutes. The channels, valves, connecting sections of group C endoscopes, and the connectors of the machine were sprayed with glu taraldehyde before machine-washing. Swabs were taken from all 13 parts of each endoscope and machine for microbiologic culture. Results: Six endoscopes were positive, cumulatively, for bacterial contamination i n group A. Among group B endoscopes, one remained contaminated. No end oscope was positive in group C. The difference between group A and C w as statistically significant (p <.05). Conclusions: Machine washing by automatic endoscopic reprocessors may not achieve complete disinfecti on. Additional procedures are necessary. High-grade disinfection of th e connectors is critical. Disinfection of the interface between the co nnectors is important.