Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
Flexible Colonoscopy in Mice to Evaluate the Severity of Colitis and Colorectal Tumors Using a Validated Endoscopic Scoring System
Published on: October 16, 2013
Increasing potential risks of contamination from repetitive use of endoscope
Dae-Hyung Lee1, Dong Bin Kim2, Hyun Yong Kim1
1Medical Technology and Quality Evaluation Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Background:
Medical devices inserted into the human body can be divided into single-use devices and reusable medical devices (RMDs) depending on the method of use. RMDs are applied to >1 patient, and users reprocess them prior to repeat use. Therefore, reprocessing of RMDs has become more difficult, and issues related to infection risk have become more prevalent.
Methods:
Research was performed to compare differences in surface alterations between not-aged (NA) samples and accelerated-aging (AA) samples. NA and AA samples were exposed to potential contaminants and treated with the same cleaning conditions. Then the residual contaminants were analyzed, and adhesion characteristics were investigated.
Results:
Significant differences between the 2 sample groups were observed in the pattern of physical surface alterations. Similar to the endoscope for clinical use, a deep crack was found in the surface of the AA sample. According to the binding affinity test, highly likely potential contaminants were found more frequently on AA samples.
Conclusion:
The results suggest the necessity of limiting the duration of time that RMDs may be used, considering the potential risk of infection from repetitive use of RMDs, and also raised the possibility of applying this simulation model of AA. This methodology can be applied to various RMDs, including endoscopes.
More Related Videos
03:43Structured Approach to Colonoscopy Technique Optimization: A Single-Center Experience with Novice Endoscopists
Published on: July 11, 2025
03:07Scanning Electron Microscopic Evaluation of Surface Defects of Remover Retreatment File After Single and Multiple Uses
Published on: October 11, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:30Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:29Endoscopic Procedures I: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
During an EGD, the endoscope can be used to:
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.