Infection prevention in endoscopy practice: comparative evaluation of re-usable vs single-use endoscopic valves

Abstract

Summary Re-usable air/water and suction valves used in endoscopes often demonstrate risk of infection. To the authors' knowledge, the safety and efficacy of re-usable and single-use valves have not been compared to date. As such, a laboratory investigation was undertaken to compare the safety and efficacy of re-usable and single-use valves at 11 Italian endoscopy sites. Safety was evaluated by analysing the rinse liquid of reprocessed re-usable valves ready for use, and efficacy was assessed based on the completion of endoscopic procedures without valve malfunction. This study found significantly lower contamination of single-use valves compared with re-usable valves (0 vs 29.1%, respectively; P =0.007) and similar efficacy (97.6 vs 98.8%, respectively; P =ns). Microbiological analysis of the rinse liquid of reprocessed re-usable valves identified various surviving micro-organisms and highlighted their potential pathogenicity. Such data suggest that sterile single-use valves may be safer than re-usable valves, and have comparable performance.

Asia‐Pacific survey on green endoscopy

“…These are particularly relevant when it comes to intra-procedural carbon reduction. Because of the potential risk of cross-contamination, 28,29 endoscopic accessories are primarily single-use nowadays. Our study showed that reusing instruments and reducing endoscopic accessories are highly controversial.…”

Perfil de resistência a antibióticos de Rothia aeria e Rothia dentocariosa isoladas de canais radiculares dentários

“…É hipotetizado que Rothia spp. tem maior perfil de resistência a antibióticos e uma maior virulência quando consorciada em biofilmes 39 . Biolfilmes monoespécies e polimicrobianos contendo Rothia spp.…”

“…Também pesquisadores relatam que R. dentocariosa foi encontrada em pacientes com endocardite infecciosa e que não apresentavam infeções bucais aparentes, não sendo possível determinar a causa da infecção por Rothia spp. 39 .…”

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“…These include biopsy forceps, biopsy containers, cold and hot snare catheters, snare diathermy pads and others. The risk of cross-contamination and patient safety concerns have led to the almost ubiquitous use of single-use accessories,120–122 but such disposable equipment is likely to increase net waste 101. To mitigate the environmental impact of disposable accessories, training endoscopists and staff in preventing excess and inadvertent use of accessories by appropriate planning preprocedure is recommended 123.…”