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Accreditation program for gastrointestinal endoscopes reprocessing in Italy: An on-site survey
Giancarlo Spinzi1, Angelo Milano2, Piero Brosolo3
1Gasastroenterology and Endoscopy Department, Valduce Hospital, Como - Italy.
Endoscopy International Open
|November 18, 2021
Summary
Endoscope reprocessing in Italy shows significant compliance issues, particularly in cleaning, storage, and testing. An accreditation program revealed variations, highlighting the need for improved quality and safety in preventing infections.
Area of Science:
- Infection Control
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Gastroenterology Practices
Background:
- Endoscope reprocessing is critical for preventing infections but has shown variable failure rates.
- Current practices in Italian endoscopy facilities require evaluation to identify critical points.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present an overview of current endoscope reprocessing practices in Italian facilities.
- To discuss critical points and deviations from guidelines in endoscope reprocessing.
Main Methods:
- An accreditation program was implemented in 2014 by the Italian Society for Digestive Diseases.
- Site visits by a multidisciplinary team evaluated endoscope reprocessing in 28 accredited centers.
Main Results:
- Major deviations from guidelines were found in instrument cleaning (44.7%), storage (23.7%), and microbiological testing (31.6%).
- Significant variations in reprocessing practices were observed across different centers.
Conclusions:
- The overview demonstrated deficiencies in crucial reprocessing phases, increasing the risk of endoscopy-associated infections.
- A centrally-led accreditation approach can drive transformation in the quality and safety of endoscope reprocessing.
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