INFECTION-PREVENTION

ALWAYS STERILE

Having access to a sterile bronchoscope in all circumstances reduces the risk of cross-contamination for patients and generates savings associated with any treatment and care.

The risk of cross-contamination related to inadequate disinfection of a reusable endoscope during cleaning, rinsing, leak testing or drying phases is well documented in the literature.(1) The design of the devices makes reconditioning complicated and expensive. In fact, following disinfection, a biofilm can still form, particularly when the device has difficult-to-detect micro-cracks.

REPROCESSING

Even when correctly performed, a high-level disinfection procedure does not provide a 100% guarantee that there are no residual bacterial and other pathogens left in the endoscope.

Due to the complexity of the devices and the presence of micro-cracks in the working channel related to the introduction of instruments, bacteria can become established and collect there. Then, they form a biofilm in the micro-cracks, which becomes very difficult to remove, despite very scrupulous compliance with good disinfection practices.

In this study, researchers examined 24 bronchoscopes from different sites after clinical use and manual reprocessing. Following analysis, it emerges that 100% of the devices were contaminated with residues and pathogens of different types. The study demonstrated that even when correctly followed, the procedures in place were inadequate to eliminate 100% of the pathogens present. It concludes with a recommendation to tighten up disinfection requirements.(2)

Scanning electron microscope photo illustrating surface defects
Dirt and micro-organisms in a working channel

CROSS-CONTAMINATION

Generally speaking, it is accepted that the risk of cross-contamination related to bronchoscopy is underestimated by the literature since it is under-reported and under-monitored by manufacturers and healthcare establishments.
A study published in 2017 for the first time attempted to quantify the additional cost induced by the risk of cross-contamination and the use of a reusable bronchoscope in the intensive care setting.
In intensive care/resuscitation, the most common infection developed by patients on mechanical ventilation is ventilation-acquired pneumonia (VAP). The immune defences are often weakened in these patients and the introduction of a contaminated device directly into the lungs, crossing the natural barriers (mucosa of the upper airways), regularly results in complications.

3%

Risk of residual cross-contamination after decontamination of a bronchoscope following the guidellness

21%

Risk of patient developing an infection following the use of a contaminateds reusable broncoscope

$28,383

Additional cost of treatment per patient having contracted VAP

When the risk of developing VAP in a ventilated patient is multiplied by the risk of residual contamination of an endoscope, an infection risk of 0.007% per procedure is obtained. This risk related to the cost of treating VAP leads to an estimated cost of $178 per procedure for the treatment of cross-contamination according to this study.(3)

CONTAMINATION RISKS AT PATIENT AND HEALTH CARE PERSONNEL LEVEL

The main objective of reprocessing guidelines is care safety optimization in order to strive towards infection zero risk for patients and health care staff.
Attention is also paid to the characteristics of disinfectants used daily, in terms of toxicity, precautions for use, protection of personnel, measures to take in case of exposure and environmental risk.

Flow chart for endoscope reprocessing:

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  • Decontamination of reusable bronchoscopes is laborious,time-consuming and requires meticulous attention to detail.(4)
  • Endoscope reprocessors must be compatible with the corresponding type of bronchoscope.(5)
  • Procedures for manual cleaning and disinfection of bronchoscopes may not always be adhered to.
  • Bronchoscopes must be inspected for surface damage and leak-tested after each procedure.(6)

Single-use bronchoscopes do not require disinfection, manual cleaning or leak testing

Single-use bronchoscopes do not require scope-compatible reprocessing equipment

Single-use bronchoscopes do not house accumalation of biofilm

SINGLE-USE BRONCHOSCOPE CAN REDUCE ASSOCIATED READMISSION RATES AND INFECTION RISK

The new abstract from Dr Garret, presented at the CHEST 2021 annual meeting, shown that hospitals using single-use bronchoscopes can reduce potential acquisition of healthcare-associated infections.(7)

The data analysis demonstrates that on a total of 14,228 procedures identified, using reusable bronchoscopes can lead to a risk of
readmission of ~2.3 times more than a single-use device.

Single-use bronchoscopes participate to prevent readmission which may lead to financials penalties back to the hospitals.

INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES CONSENSUS

Multiple studies concerning contamination of reusable endoscopes have been published. Pulmonology studies continue to demonstrate higher than expected contamination rates.
In addition to contamination studies, numerous performance studies comparing single-use and reusable endoscopes have been published, showing great results for single-use. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic several societies have published recommendations and guidelines.

References to read:


(1) Pajkos et al. Is biofilm accumulation on endoscope tubing a contributor to the failure of
cleaning and decontamination? Journal of Hospital Infection (2004), 58, 224-229

(2) Journal of Hospital Infection (2004), 58, 224-229

(3) Terjesen, Christoffer Lilja et al. “Early Assessment of the Likely Cost Effectiveness of Single-Use Flexible Video Bronchoscopes” PharmacoEconomics – open vol. 1,2 (2017): 133-141.»

(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14649770

(5) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12684244

(6) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11888985

(7) https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(21)01955-3/pdf

(8) https://aabronchology.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020-AABIP-Statement-on-Bronchoscopy-COVID.GAE-updated%20Version.pdf

(9) https://www.esahq.org/uploads/2020/03/poster-esa-rev-1-2.pdf

(10) https://anaesthetists.org/Home/Resources-publications/COVID-19-guidance/Statements-COVID-19

(11) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7193137/pdf/main.pdf

(12) Leidraad infectiepreventiemaatregelen KNO-zorg tijdens COVID-19 pandemie.pdf

(13) http://splf.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Precautions-particulieres-endocopiebronchique.Pdf