Re-usable air/water and suction valves used in endoscopes often demonstrate risk of infection. To the authors’ knowledge, the safety and efficacy of re-usable and single-use valves have not been compared to date. As such, a laboratory investigation was undertaken to compare the safety and efficacy of re-usable and single-use valves at 11 Italian endoscopy sites. Safety was evaluated by analysing the rinse liquid of reprocessed reusable valves ready for use, and efficacy was assessed based on the completion of endoscopic procedures without valve malfunction. This study found significantly lower contamination of single-use valves compared with re-usable valves (0 vs 29.1%, respectively; P¼0.007) and similar efficacy (97.6 vs 98.8%, respectively; P¼ns). Microbiological analysis of the rinse liquid of reprocessed re-usable valves identified various surviving micro-organisms and highlighted their potential pathogenicity. Such data suggest that sterile single-use valves may be safer than re-usable valves, and have comparable performance.

Pasquale, L., Maurano, A., Cengia, G., Da Massa Carrara, P., Germana, B., Graziani, M.G., et al. (2021). Infection prevention in endoscopy practice; comparative evaluation of reusable vs single use endoscopic valves. INFECTION PREVENTION IN PRACTICE, 3(2), 1-6 [10.1016/j.infpip.2021.100123].

Infection prevention in endoscopy practice; comparative evaluation of reusable vs single use endoscopic valves

C. Gandolfo;C. Terrosi;M. G. Cusi
2021-01-01

Abstract

Re-usable air/water and suction valves used in endoscopes often demonstrate risk of infection. To the authors’ knowledge, the safety and efficacy of re-usable and single-use valves have not been compared to date. As such, a laboratory investigation was undertaken to compare the safety and efficacy of re-usable and single-use valves at 11 Italian endoscopy sites. Safety was evaluated by analysing the rinse liquid of reprocessed reusable valves ready for use, and efficacy was assessed based on the completion of endoscopic procedures without valve malfunction. This study found significantly lower contamination of single-use valves compared with re-usable valves (0 vs 29.1%, respectively; P¼0.007) and similar efficacy (97.6 vs 98.8%, respectively; P¼ns). Microbiological analysis of the rinse liquid of reprocessed re-usable valves identified various surviving micro-organisms and highlighted their potential pathogenicity. Such data suggest that sterile single-use valves may be safer than re-usable valves, and have comparable performance.
2021
Pasquale, L., Maurano, A., Cengia, G., Da Massa Carrara, P., Germana, B., Graziani, M.G., et al. (2021). Infection prevention in endoscopy practice; comparative evaluation of reusable vs single use endoscopic valves. INFECTION PREVENTION IN PRACTICE, 3(2), 1-6 [10.1016/j.infpip.2021.100123].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11365/1148091