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Infection Control Practices in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in the United States: A National Survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Geoffrey J. Gorse  and
Roberta L. Messner
Geoffrey J. Gorse*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, St. Louis University School of Medicine, and St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Roberta L. Messner
Affiliation:
Quality Assurance, Nursing Service, Huntington Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, Huntington, West Virginia
*
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63104
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Abstract

Objectives:

To ascertain current infection control practices, endoscope cleaning procedures, perceived risks of infection, and implementation of universal precautions in gastrointestinal endoscopy units in the United States.

Design:

National mailed survey of gastroenterology nurses and associates conducted anonymously in March 1988.

Setting:

Completed surveys were received from all 50 states and Puerto Rico and from all practice settings. The most common practice setting was private/community hospitals (66%).

Participants:

Of the 4,952 survey forms mailed to all members and to interested non-members of the Society of Gastrointestinal Nurses and Associates, 2,158 (44%) were returned and 2,030 (41%) were completed and evaluable. Of the respondents, 1,487 (73%) were registered nurses.

Results:

Sixty-seven percent (n = 1,358) of the respondents routinely used an enzymatic cleaner as a step in the instrument decontamination process; 93% (n = 1,879) chemically disinfected instruments after each case; and 88% (n = 1,779) disinfected endoscopes with an aqueous glutaraldehyde product. Respondents reported that they and a significantly smaller proportion of physicians (p<.001) employed barrier precautions for all endoscopic cases involving possible contact with blood/body fluids of patients known (66% versus 57%, respectively) and not known (12% versus 8%, respectively) to have a bloodborne infection. Endoscopy-related infections, usually bacterial, were reported to have occurred at their institutions by 6% (n = 116) of respondents.

Conclusions:

We conclude that cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization procedures for gastrointestinal endoscopic instruments vary, that appropriate protective apparel is not always worn, and that some practices may lead to preventable endoscopy-related infection in patients.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 12 , Issue 5 , May 1991 , pp. 289 - 296
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1991

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