Culturing Echoendoscopes to Assess their Risk of Bacterial Transmission

Six of 100 radial and linear echoendoscopes tested showed any bacterial growth.

There has been intense national focus on duodenoscope-related infections. Duodenoscopes contain an elevator mechanism that has been of specific concern for its potential to harbor bacteria despite adherence to manufacturers' guidelines on reprocessing. Echoendoscopes are also complex endoscopes, and linear echoendoscopes also contain an elevator mechanism.

In the current single-center study, researchers evaluated bacterial colonization of both radial (50) and linear (51) echoendoscopes used to conduct 101 endoscopic ultrasound procedures. They then compared results with previously published data on duodenoscopes.

All echoendoscopes underwent standard high-level disinfection (SHLD) and were cultured at the beginning of each workday. Two sample…

Reviewing Author

Douglas G. Adler, MD, FACG, AGAF, FASGE

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBSC; Merit; Olympus

Speaker’s BureauAbbVie

Editorial BoardsGastrointestinal Endoscopy

Douglas G. Adler, MD, FACG, AGAF, FASGE

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBSC; Merit; Olympus

Speaker’s BureauAbbVie

Editorial BoardsGastrointestinal Endoscopy

Culturing Echoendoscopes to Assess their Risk of Bacterial Transmission

Topics

Reviewing Author