Reutilization of accessories in gastrointestinal endoscopic practice

The key issues that determine the decision between reusable versus disposab le accessories are cost and functionality. In most health-care systems the availability and dissemination of endoscopic services relates directly to t he resources (i.e. budget) of that system. Given the limitations of health- care budgets, access to endoscopic services will depend upon the cost effic iency of endoscopic practice. The onus on endoscopists and health-care prov iders, therefore, is to meticulously evaluate the necessary steps for safe reutilization of accessories. This paper addresses the principles of reuse, quality assurance and particularly disinfection practices. Any change to a more costly disposable accessory policy must bear the responsibility of de nied access to endoscopic services in a system with finite resources. (C) 2 000 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd.