Korean J Gastrointest Endosc > Volume 22(6); 2001 > Article

Korean Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2001;22(6): 393-398.

Glutaraldehyde 와 자동 세척기를 이용한 내시경 소독방법의 임상에서의 유용성 ( Disinfection Efficacy of Glutaraldehyde and an Automated Endoscope Reprocessor : an In - Use Evaluation )

이준행(Jun Haeng Lee),이풍렬(Poong Lyul Rhee),최원혁(Won Hyeok Choe),홍일철(Il Chol Hong),안병훈(Byeong Hoon Ahn),송재훈(Jae Hoon Song),이남용(Nam Yong Lee),윤성원(Sung Won Yoon),김영호(Young Ho Kim),손희정(Hee Jung Son),김재준(Jae J . Kim),고광철(Kwang Cheol Koh),백승운(Seung Woon Paik),이종철(Jong Chul Rhee),최규완(Kyoo Wan Choi)

Abstract

Background/Aims:
Safety of endoscopic procedures has been a major issue over the last 10 years. Most endoscopy units use 2% glutaraldehyde and automated endoscope reprocessors (AERs) for disinfecting gastrointestinal endoscopes. We attempted an in-use evaluation of the current reprocessing procedures.
Methods:
Thirty flexible endoscopes were randomly collected just after upper endoscopic examinations and were disinfected using 2% glutaraldehyde in an AER. Cultures were taken from biopsy channels (S-l), tip of the insertion tubes (S-2), umbilical cords (S-3), and angulation knobs (S-4).
Results:
In 63,3% (19/30) of endoscopes, there was no microbial contamination after disinfection procedures. The culture positive rates of S-l, S-2, S-3, and S-4 samples were 20,0%, 0.0%, 3.3%, and 20.0%, respectively. Microorganisms of 13 species were identified, but there was no pathogen related with reported infectious complications after endoscopic procedures.
Conclusions:
Current disinfection procedure using 2% glutaraldehyde and an AER appears to be very effective in decontaminating patient-used endoscopes. Low level microbial contamination of endoscopes after conventional reprocessing methods may not impose great risk on patients. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2001;22:393-398)

Key Words: 내시경 , 자동 세척기 , 소독 , Endoscopes , Glutaraldehyde , Automated endoscope reprocessor , Disinfection