Table 1

Comparison of the cleaning and disinfection procedures recommended by the European Society for Gastrointetsinal Endoscopy (ESGE) [2] and those used in the present trial.

ESGE guidelines

Policy in the present trial

1. Manual cleaning

• Flushing air/water channel with water

• Flushing air/water channel with water

• Immersion in water and detergent, external cleaning and brushing/rinsing of instrument channels

• Immersion in water and detergent, external cleaning and brushing/rinsing of instrument channels

• Flushing air/water channel with detergent (facultative)

• Flushing air/water channel with detergent*

2. Automatic disinfection

• Washing, disinfection and drying according to the manufacturer specification

• Washing, disinfection and drying according to the manufacturer specification

3. Before storage

-

• Flushing biopsy channel with 70% alcohol*

*Comprehensive procedures, incorporated in local policy after finding of Enterobacter cloacae in one endoscope.

Bretthauer et al. BMC Gastroenterology 2003 3:15   doi:10.1186/1471-230X-3-15