Abstract
Objective : To
investigate Colony-Forming Unit (CFU) reduction on contaminated flexible
endoscopes without a working channel after UV-C light disinfection
compared to the current disinfection method with the Endoscope Washer
Disinfector.
Design, setting: After pharyngolaryngoscopy, a manual
pre-cleaning with tap water was performed. A culture was then collected
by rolling the distal 8-10 cm of the flexible endoscope over an Agar
plate. The flexible endoscope was disinfected using the D60 (60-second
disinfection process with UV-C light) or the Endoscope Washer
Disinfector (golden standard reprocessing process with water and
chemicals). Another culture was then taken. After incubation, a CFU
count was performed.
Results: Two hundred flexible endoscopes without a working
channel were divided equally between the two disinfection groups. After
clinical use and manual pre-cleaning, 84 of the 100 (84.0%) (UV-C light
group) and 79 of the 100 (79.0%) (EWD) flexible endoscopes were
contaminated with at least 1 CFU. Flexible endoscopes that showed no
contamination after use were excluded from further analysis. After
disinfection with UV-C light, 72 (85.7%) flexible endoscopes showed no
contamination (i.e. 0 CFUs) versus 66 (83.5%) flexible endoscopes after
reprocessing with the Endoscope Washer Disinfector.
Conclusion: There is no difference in CFUs reduction on
contaminated flexible endoscopes without a working channel between UV-C
light disinfection and the current gold standard, the Endoscope Washer
Disinfector.
Keywords: flexible endoscopes without a working channel,
disinfection, UV-C light disinfection, Endoscope Washer Disinfector