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Multi-society guideline for reprocessing flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes

  • Shea Position Paper
  • Diseases of the Colon & Rectum
  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Summary

Flexible gastrointestinal endoscopy is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the care of patients with gastrointestinal and pancreaticobiliary disorders. Compliance with accepted guidelines for the reprocessing of gastrointestinal endoscopes between patients is critical to the safety and success of their use. When these guidelines are followed, pathogen transmission can be effectively prevented. Increased efforts and resources should be directed to improve compliance with these guidelines. Further research in the area of gastrointestinal endoscope reprocessing should be encouraged. The organizations that endorsed this guideline are committed to assisting the FDA and manufacturers in addressing critical infection control issues in gastrointestinal device reprocessing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, USA

    Douglas B. Nelson

  2. Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, USA

    William R. Jarvis

  3. University of North Carolina Health Care System, USA

    William A. Rutala

  4. American College of Gastroenterology, USA

    Amy E. Foxx-Orenstein

  5. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, USA

    Gerald Isenberg

  6. Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, USA

    Georgia P. Dash & Carla J. Alvarado

  7. Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc., USA

    Marilee Ball & Joyce Griffin-Sobel

  8. Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, USA

    Carol Petersen & Kay A. Ball

  9. Federated Ambulatory Surgery Association, USA

    Jerry Henderson

  10. New York State Department of Health, USA

    Rachel L. Stricof

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  1. Douglas B. Nelson
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  2. William R. Jarvis
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Nelson, D.B., Jarvis, W.R., Rutala, W.A. et al. Multi-society guideline for reprocessing flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes. Dis Colon Rectum 47, 413–420 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-003-0098-2

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