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Liquid Chemical Sterilization for Effective Endoscope Reprocessing | Knowledge Center

Liquid Chemical Sterilization: The Most Practical Solution

Patient safety is never semi-critical

Since 2015, contaminated endoscopes may have transmitted infections at more than a dozen major hospitals; some infections resulted in patient deaths.

Continue reading to learn more about the Culprit, the Costs and the Solution to achieve a higher standard of care, compared to high level disinfection.

 
LIQUID CHEMICAL STERILIZATION IS THE MOST PRACTICAL SOLUTION FOR: SPORES & MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT ORGANISMS (MDRO)

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The map shown displays major medical facilites with endoscope related infection outbreaks since 2015, some resulting in fatalities. Typically, these Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) are the result of a GI procedure using complex flexible endoscopes such as duodenoscopes.

A recent safety communication recommends hospitals consider reprocessing duodenoscopes using a liquid chemical sterilant processing system.

"Consider reprocessing with supplemental measures such as sterilization or use of a liquid chemical sterilant processing system consistent with the device's labeling."1

High Level Disinfection Is Not Sterilization

Repeat or double HLD has been shown not to provide significant reduction in microorganisms vs. single HLD.2

A study finds nearly three-quarters of commonly used medical endoscopes tainted by bacteria. Patient-ready bronchoscopes were found to be contaminated despite cleaning and disinfection.

High Level Disinfection is not Sterilization

Liquid Chemical Sterilant Processing is validated for material compatibility and efficacy for more than 2000 endoscope models, including colonoscopes, duodenoscopes, gastroscopes and bronchoscopes.

STERIS Liquid Chemical Sterilization Solutions can provide:

  • An 18-minute cycle
  • Seamless tracking and electronic record-keeping
  • Dilution that can be washed safely down the drain
  • A system that requires no ventilation to use
  • Safety and ease of use to staff
 
 
LIQUID CHEMICAL STERILIZATION IS THE MOST PRACTICAL SOLUTION FOR: YOUR REPUTATION

The risks financially, legally and to your facility's reputation are risks you can't afford to take.

Your facility's reputation is at stake. 500,000+ HAI caused by C. diff and MDROs every year.3

A patient who contracts C. diff will cost an additional $24,205 to a hospital. With 500,000 infections every year, that amounts to a cost of $4.8 billion.

DOWNLOAD THE FACT SHEET 4

What's the cost to your reputation? What's the cost in court? 
 

A single CRE infection cost a hospital from $22,484 to $66,031

509,300 infections per year. 19,650 deaths

Every 20 to 30 minutes bacteria can double. Under ideal conditions, one bug left behind could lead to 281,474,980,000,000 in 24 hours.

Liquid Chemical Sterilant Processing kills all the bugs, but won't kill your budget.
 

The Solution

The Solution

 
LIQUID CHEMICAL STERILIZATION IS THE MOST PRACTICAL SOLUTION FOR: PATIENT SAFETY

When asked by STERIS, 85% of GI Nurse Managers and Infection Preventionists claimed they would rather an endoscope be sterilized.

Liquid Chemical Sterilization is the best solution for your facility to combat today's most virulent, infection-causing microbes. It is the best solution for your peace of mind and for providing your patients with a higher standard of care vs. HLD.

300,000,000+

endoscopes/devices reprocessed without an infection

using a liquid chemical sterilant processing system

Patient safety is never semi-critical

 
 

Explore STERIS Liquid Chemical Sterilization Solutions

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

 Icon Reports 

What does infection cost a hospital? What are the possible legal ramifications? See the facts.

Icon Reports

Superbug outbreak at major medical center. NBC News reports.

Icon Reports

Study finds nearly three-quarters of commonly used medical endoscopes tainted by bacteria. Modern Healthcare reports.

Icon Reports

Patient-ready bronchoscopes found to be contaminated despite cleaning and disinfection. Infection Control Today reports.

Icon Reports

Government organizations are concerned about infections associated with reprocessed endoscopes.

Icon Reports

Contaminated duodenoscopes linked to 3 deaths, 45 more infections. MedTech examines the issue.

Icon Reports

Double or repeat high-level disinfection (HLD) is no more effective than single high-level disinfection, study by Olympus Corporation finds.

Graduation cap

Ongoing challenges of endoscope reprocessing. Learn more about the challenges in reprocessing these complex devices from STERIS University.

The Solution

Liquid chemical sterilization is the most practical solution for reprocessing endoscopes. Get the complete story here.

1 https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/fda-recommending-transition-duodenoscopes-innovative-designs-enhance-safety-fda-safety-communication

2 https://scholarworks.iupui.edu/bitstream/handle/1805/17101/Rex_2018_double.pdf

3 Aggregate of C.diff and CRE infections amd deaths. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2015/p0225-clostridium-difficile.html,   https://www.livescience.com/50041-cre-symptoms-treatment.html

4 https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2015/p0225-clostridium-difficile.html

Number of reprocessing events without reported infection traceable to the processing system when using endoscopes processed correctly according to IFU. Internal STERIS data based on sterilant concentrate sales

 

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