Evaluation of a storage cabinet for heat-sensitive endoscopes in a clinical setting

SummaryBackgroundIn most countries, endoscopes must be disinfected or fully reprocessed before the beginning of each session, even if they were cleaned and disinfected after their last use. Several storage cabinets for heat-sensitive endoscopes (SCHE) are commercially available. They are designed to maintain the microbiological quality of reprocessed endoscopes for a predefined period of time validated by the SCHE manufacturer. Use of an SCHE increases the acceptable storage time before it is necessary to re-disinfect the endoscope.AimTo evaluate the efficacy of an SCHE (DSC8000, Soluscope, SAS Marseilles, France) in a clinical setting.MethodThe microbiological quality of endoscopes was assessed after 72 h of storage in an SCHE (Group I), and compared with the microbiological quality of endoscopes stored for 72 h in a clean, dry, dedicated cupboard without morning disinfection (Group II) and the microbiological quality of endoscopes stored for 72 h in a clean, dry, dedicated cupboard with morning disinfection (Group III). Forty-one endoscopes in each group were sampled for microbiological quality. Endoscope contamination levels were analysed according to guidelines published by the National Technical Committee on Nosocomial Infection in 2007.Findings/conclusionUse of an SCHE helps to maintain the microbiological quality of endoscopes, provided that staff members are well trained and all practices are framed by a proven quality assurance process.