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Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures in Gastroenterology pp 627–634Cite as

Gastrointestinal Endoscope Reprocessing

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Part of the book series: Clinical Gastroenterology ((CG))

Abstract

Flexible endoscopes play an integral role in the evaluation and treatment of various gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. An estimated 20 million endoscopic GI procedures are performed annually [1]. With routine exposure to secretions, sputum, feces, and blood, it is not surprising that endoscopes are subject to an extraordinary degree of microbial contamination. Reprocessing therefore is essential for recycling endoscopes while preventing patient-to-patient transmission of potentially harmfulmicroorganisms. However, reprocessing of endoscopes is not easy and involves a multistep sequence that is time, labor, and resource intensive, with several potential pitfalls if performed inattentively. Indeed, lapses in endoscope reprocessing have been associated with several infectious outbreaks [2]. In this chapter, we outline the current approach to GI endoscope reprocessing and review emerging challenges in ensuring reprocessing efficacy and safety.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mayo Clinic and Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA

    Kavel Visrodia

  2. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Bret T. Petersen

Authors
  1. Kavel Visrodia
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  2. Bret T. Petersen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bret T. Petersen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Endoscopy, Digestive Health Center, Section of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA

    Subbaramiah Sridhar

  2. Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA

    George Y. Wu

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Visrodia, K., Petersen, B.T. (2018). Gastrointestinal Endoscope Reprocessing. In: Sridhar, S., Wu, G. (eds) Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures in Gastroenterology. Clinical Gastroenterology. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62993-3_50

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62993-3_50

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-62991-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-62993-3

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