Single vs. Double High-Level Disinfection for Endoscopes with Elevators

Disinfecting endoscopes twice provided no added benefit in one randomized study.

Among endoscopes, those with elevators (duodenoscopes and linear echoendoscopes [DLEs]) are thought to carry the highest risk for potential pathogen transmission. To compare the effectiveness of single versus double high-level disinfection (HLD) for reprocessing endoscopes with elevators, researchers randomized daily disinfection of 45 DLEs in use at four facilities to be performed with either single or double HLD. Surveillance cultures from dried, disinfected DLEs were collected daily for 6 months and cultured for 2 days. Swabbing sites included the elevator mechanism.

Nearly 6000 culture specimens were obtained in over 2900 sessions of culturing. Double HLD showed no significant benefit compared with single HLD, as reflected in similar cul…

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

Single vs. Double High-Level Disinfection for Endoscopes with Elevators

Topics

Reviewing Author