Could Biopsy Port Valves Be a Source for Potential Flexible Endoscope Contamination?
December 1, 2006
EndoNurse magazine released an article discussing the potential for flexible endoscope contamination when utilizing reusable biopsy valves.
Transmission of bacteria and resulting infection between patients after flexible endoscopy is rarely observed and seldom reported. Concern in recent years has increased due to more resistant strains of bacteria, transmission of viruses, and the emergence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Effective manual cleaning and high-level disinfection of flexible endoscopes and accessories is essential to preventing the transmission of disease or infection. One component of the flexible endoscope which could harbor bacterial contamination and/or prions and is difficult to manually clean and high-level disinfect is the biopsy port valve.
Source: http://bit.ly/biopsy-valve-contamination-risk