Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection01:30

Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection

9.5K
Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are the methods that help to break the infection chain and prevent disease.
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...
9.5K
Methods of Sterilization II: Chemical Methods01:30

Methods of Sterilization II: Chemical Methods

8.8K
In healthcare, the chemical method of sterilization uses chemical sterilants to treat surgical instruments and medical supplies to help prevent the transmission of infectious pathogens to patients. Due to heat sensitivity, most medical supplies and equipment should not be exposed to high temperatures. These parts include rubber, plastic, glass, and other similar elements.
Using chemical sterilization rather than heat to clean out equipment is recommended. It eradicates and removes all bacteria,...
8.8K
Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods01:29

Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods

23.3K
As used in a healthcare facility, sterilization destroys all microorganisms through physical or chemical methods. The physical method includes steam, dry heat, boiling water, and radiation.
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...
23.3K
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration01:26

Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration

936
Radiation and filtration are essential tools for microbial control, targeting microorganisms through distinct mechanisms. Radiation eliminates microbes by damaging their DNA, either killing them or inhibiting their growth. Based on wavelength, radiation is classified into two types: nonionizing and ionizing radiation.Non-ionizing radiation, such as UV radiation (200–400 nm), is absorbed by DNA, causing defects that effectively disinfect surfaces, air, and water, including safety cabinets.
936
Antimicrobial Effectiveness01:28

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

864
The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
864
Hand hygiene01:23

Hand hygiene

5.4K
Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and reduce the risk of diseases. Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of aseptic techniques and is classified into medical and surgical asepsis. Medical asepsis includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves. Surgical asepsis, or the sterile technique, refers to practices that render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms.
Hand washing...
5.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Laparoscopic Instrument Defect Detection: A Prospective, Multisite Study.

Biomedical instrumentation & technology·2026
Same author

Comparison of Sampling Methods for Detecting Protein in Gastrointestinal Endoscopes.

Biomedical instrumentation & technology·2025
Same author

Impact of Borescope Inspections on Endoscope Repair Frequency and Costs.

Biomedical instrumentation & technology·2025
Same author

Endoscope processing effectiveness: A reality check and call to action for infection preventionists and clinicians.

American journal of infection control·2025
Same author

Unseen threats: Lumens 2.0 study reveals the hidden challenges of cleaning lumened surgical instruments.

American journal of infection control·2025
Same author

Fluid retention in endoscopes: A real-world study on drying effectiveness.

American journal of infection control·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Author Spotlight: Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies
09:30

Author Spotlight: Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies

Published on: March 17, 2023

4.3K

Challenges in achieving effective high-level disinfection in endoscope reprocessing.

Cori L Ofstead1, Krystina M Hopkins1, Brandy L Buro1

  • 1Ofstead & Associates, Inc, St. Paul, MN.

American Journal of Infection Control
|November 4, 2019
PubMed
Summary

High-level disinfectants (HLDs) often fail to effectively reprocess endoscopes due to issues with chemistry, monitoring, and adherence to guidelines. Improving endoscope disinfection requires addressing product and process complexities to prevent microbial contamination.

Keywords:
Automated endoscope reprocessor (AER)Flexible endoscopeInstructions for use (IFU)Minimum effective concentrationQuality assurance

More Related Videos

Failure of Cleaning Verification in Pharmaceutical Industry Due to Uncleanliness of Stainless Steel Surface
07:00

Failure of Cleaning Verification in Pharmaceutical Industry Due to Uncleanliness of Stainless Steel Surface

Published on: August 11, 2017

8.6K
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Organic Peroxyacids for Eradicating Dairy Biofilms Using an Approach Combining Static and Dynamic Methods
11:47

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Organic Peroxyacids for Eradicating Dairy Biofilms Using an Approach Combining Static and Dynamic Methods

Published on: December 9, 2022

2.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Author Spotlight: Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies
09:30

Author Spotlight: Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies

Published on: March 17, 2023

4.3K
Failure of Cleaning Verification in Pharmaceutical Industry Due to Uncleanliness of Stainless Steel Surface
07:00

Failure of Cleaning Verification in Pharmaceutical Industry Due to Uncleanliness of Stainless Steel Surface

Published on: August 11, 2017

8.6K
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Organic Peroxyacids for Eradicating Dairy Biofilms Using an Approach Combining Static and Dynamic Methods
11:47

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Organic Peroxyacids for Eradicating Dairy Biofilms Using an Approach Combining Static and Dynamic Methods

Published on: December 9, 2022

2.0K

Area of Science:

  • Infection Prevention and Control
  • Medical Device Reprocessing
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Endoscope reprocessing failures are common, with microbes persisting after high-level disinfection (HLD).
  • Factors contributing to reprocessing ineffectiveness include guideline non-adherence, damaged scopes, and inadequate cleaning, drying, or rinsing.
  • The study investigates potential failures related to high-level disinfectant (HLD) chemistries and monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the effectiveness of high-level disinfectants (HLDs) in endoscope reprocessing.
  • To identify factors contributing to HLD failures in clinical practice.
  • To provide recommendations for improving endoscope disinfection efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Mixed-methods analysis integrating published literature.
  • Interviews with frontline healthcare personnel involved in reprocessing.
  • Review of evidence from previous studies on HLD performance.

Main Results:

  • Reusable HLDs frequently failed minimum effective concentration (MEC) tests before their expiration.
  • Single-use HLDs also showed failures, often due to incomplete deployment.
  • Failures stemmed from product issues, complex processes, and non-adherence to guidelines and instructions.

Conclusions:

  • HLD effectiveness is compromised by product and process issues, as well as human error.
  • Further research is needed on real-world HLD practices and MEC testing.
  • Collaboration and technological solutions are essential to enhance endoscope reprocessing and patient safety.