Infection Control

Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 April 2009 12:01 Monday, 29 September 2008 14:11

Question?
The GENCA guidelines state that ''Automatic reprocessors and all endoscopes processed in these should be monitored every four (4) weeks''. At our facility we currently microbiologically monitor our Steris machines every 4 weeks, hence if a problem arose we would then test our scopes. Is it necessary to monitor endoscopes every 4 weeks, as stated in the guidelines, if this is the case? Microbiological testing can be a costly exercise. Can you please provide rationale if our current practice is insufficient.

Answer:
It would appear that this is becoming one of the most frequently asked questions.
The Steris machine should be tested weekly so I am a little confused as to why you are only testing this on a monthly basis.

The GENCA guidelines now recommend that all gastroscopes and colonoscopes processed in an AFER can now  be micro tested on a quarterly basis. Please check  Publications on the website for the documentation.

I would also check that you are testing your Steris machine with the correct time frames also.
Lynn Rapley. CNC
Director of Education.