How well are endoscopes cleaned and disinfected between patients?

A questionnaire was sent to 276 hospitals throughout Australia to obtain details on the methods that are used in these institutions for the cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes. A broad range of hospitals was surveyed and 145 responses were received. Endoscopies were performed in 123 of the responding hospitals. Only 45% (55/123) of these hospitals both cleaned and disinfected their endoscopes satisfactorily. Generally, such hospitals were larger (300–600 beds) than were those which did not do so (100–300 beds) and also they were busier as more endoscopies were performed on a weekly basis (30.2 endoscopies compared with 19.3 endoscopies, respectively). Frequently (38% [47/123] of hospitals), the endoscopes were not disinfected between patients, or were disinfected for an insufficient time or were disinfected with an agent that did not have both antiviral and antibacterial activity. In a substantial proportion (40% [49/123]) of hospitals, endoscopes and their accessories appeared to be cleaned inadequately between patients. We conclude that in the majority of hospitals where endoscopies are performed that responded to our survey, there was considerable room for improvement in the cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes.