Epidemiology and prevention of infections related to endoscopy

Contaminated endoscopes are the most common cause of device-related nosocomial outbreaks in the United States. Because almost all outbreaks are related to breaches in reprocessing techniques, it is crucial that endoscope cleaning and disinfection are performed carefully. Key elements that should be emphasized are availability of and adherence to guidelines, thorough staff training, and ensuring proper equipment is used in the reprocessing. Encouraging endoscopists to notify infection control when they see unexpected postprocedure complications and document which endoscopes are used in each case are key elements in limiting the impact of outbreaks.