Our initial experience in microbiological monitoring for reprocessing gastrointestinal endoscopes

Introduction: Microbiological surveillance of endoscopes and automated endoscope reprocessors as a method of quality control is recommended by the European Society of Gastroenterology (ESGE) and European Society of Gastro­enterology and Endoscopy Nurses and Associates (ESGENA).
Aim: Preliminary evaluation of the quality of decontamination of gastrointestinal endoscopes using microbiological tests.
Material and methods: The samples for microbiological testing of decontamination procedures were collected from gastrointestinal endoscopes periodically. In total 211 biological samples were collected from 16 endoscopes (from September to December 2009) to assess reprocessing accuracy of the procedure used.
Results: In 2 samples, collected from 2 endoscopes, the presence of potential pathogenic bacteria was detected. In 1 sample Escherichia coli was found in the gastroscope biopsy channel. In another sample collected from the outer surface of the sigmoidoscope Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were detected. Non-pathogenic bacteria were found in samples collected from 6 endoscopes (coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp.).
Conclusions: Microbiological testing of gastrointestinal endoscopes is an essential and effective method for assessing the quality of endoscope decontamination, which allows the detection and elimination of mistakes in endoscope disinfection.