Structural integrity monitoring of the endoscopes working channels: a visual inspection approach

The observation of an inadequate reprocessing procedure of contaminated instruments, prior to use on a new patient, is one of the major risks linked to health technology, especially for endoscopy instrumentation. It is necessary a cleaning verification routine added to reprocessing procedure. An optical inspection method can be the solution to assess the internal channels of flexible and semi-rigid endoscopes. The lack of this boroscope video-inspection step in the endoscopes reprocessing procedure, in most European countries, led to this research. Through this method was inspected working channels of endoscopes. The scratches are the most present damage, but any irregularity could be a nest of bacteria. The number of uses is more influential than the age of the instrument on the state of wear. Better reprocessing procedures and more attention in endoscopic procedures could improve the state of the instruments. It is confirmed that inspections with the borescope can be an additional mode for endoscope surveillance.