2007 Volume 98 Issue 3 Pages 552-557
(Summary) Clinical guideline for decontamination of endoscopes in urological field has not been provided, although endoscopic examination should be done in aseptic circumstance.
(Material and method) From decontamination processes, following 3 points were selected for verification: 1) Volume of residual water in flexible scope after rinsing, estimated by weight change. 2) Concentration of eluted disinfectant from flexible scope after standard rinsing procedure for gastrointestinal endoscope. 3) Observation of possible damage of telescope, caused by repeat autoclaving.
(Results) Wet condition of flexible scope could be suspected in 60 hours in room temperature. Eluted disinfectants were detected, but in harmless level. Repeated autoclaving merely caused minor damage, which does not interfere clinical use.
(Conclusion) We obtained a couple of evidences with cautions in decontamination processes for endoscopes. Urgent requirement of standardization in this field should be discussed widely.
