[Cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes in general practice and ambulatory care]

The legal conditions in Germany for cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes depend on the terms of reference of the "Bundesgesundheitsamt (BGA)" and the "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie (DGHM)" and the "Unfallverhütungsvorschrift (UVV) der Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege". The different regulations and the resulting practical consequences for manual and mechanical cleaning and disinfection of rigid and flexible endoscopes are described. Particularly the HBV-HIV-problems as well as the respective inactivation times resulting there from, standby times and concentrations of different solutions for disinfection are discussed. Presentation of the practicability of the different steps in daily ENT-practice and ambulance.