As with previous editions, each webinar will feature a keynote speaker and include opportunities for interaction to address any questions.
We invite you to join us on this journey through the lifecycle of endoscopic reprocessing.
Shine on endoscopic reprocessing!
Flexible endoscopes remain among the most challenging reusable medical devices to clean, disinfect, and sterilize. This webinar will explore the most recent updates in international and national guidelines, highlighting critical changes aimed at improving patient safety and infection prevention. Participants will gain practical insights into the rationale behind updated protocols, including enhanced drying procedures, storage conditions, microbiological surveillance, and staff competency. The session is designed for CSSD professionals, endoscopy nurses, infection preventionists, and healthcare managers involved in endoscope handling and reprocessing.
Modern medicine relies heavily on endoscopic procedures due to their minimal invasiveness and lower costs compared to surgical methods. The development of endoscopes has facilitated the transition from mere visualization to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that were previously unattainable without invasive techniques. 1,2
Endoscopic procedures play a crucial role in cancer screening, particularly in the detection of colorectal cancer among other pathologies. 3
The global volume of endoscopic procedures performed annually varies according to different sources. Some data suggest that approximately 200 million procedures are conducted worldwide, with gastrointestinal procedures accounting for approximately 133 million and respiratory procedures around 10 million. Factors such as an aging population, improvements in preventive healthcare, and advancements in technology are expected to contribute to an increase in these figures. 4
Infections associated with endoscopic procedures are among the potential complications, which also include bleeding, perforation, and cardiorespiratory events. Unfortunately, the incidence of these infections is not well documented compared to healthcare-associated infections. The type of infection varies according to the endoscopic procedure and the patient’s condition, ranging from mild infections to severe cases such as bacteremia, sepsis, septic shock, or even death. 5-8
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures are particularly concerning due to their association with post-procedure cholangitis in 2 to 4% of cases. Additionally, ERCP procedures have been linked to outbreaks caused by multi-drug-resistant bacteria, specifically carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, which are challenging to treat and carry high morbidity and mortality rates. Structural modifications to duodenoscopes intended to facilitate physicians’ work have inadvertently complicated the reprocessing of these devices. 5-8
Endoscopes can harbor microorganisms that may cause infections if not properly reprocessed. Moreover, even with adequate reprocessing, there may still be microorganisms present in the equipment that is ready for use.9
Biofilms play an important role in the contamination of endoscopic reprocessing. Inadequate removal of biofilms and improper storage of endoscopes can affect the effectiveness of the process.10-12
Endoscopic reprocessing requires the application of appropriate reprocessing procedures at every stage, including cleaning, disinfection, storage, and documentation for traceability, as regulated by standards.13-16
Flexible endoscopy encompasses a large variety of heat sensitive, complex and intensively used medical devices with high risk for patients.
Optimizing the reprocessing of flexible endoscopes presents various challenges. To address these, it is important to enhance the expertise of professionals, improve endoscopic reprocessing units, reconsider the classification of flexible endoscopes within the Spaulding system, and consider implementing sterilization.17-21
In this new webinar series, Shine on Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing, we are proud to announce:
Webinar#1 – What’s New on Flexible Endoscopes Reprocessing Guidelines?
Webinar#2 – Endoscope processing effectiveness: A reality check and call to action!
Webinar#3 – Flexible Endoscope Decontamination: The challenge of biofilm
Webinar#4 – Improving Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing: the importance of dry storage.
Webinar#5 – Reprocessing Flexible Endoscopes: towards sterilization
Webinar#6 – Round table– Shine on Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing
As with previous editions, each webinar will feature a keynote speaker and include opportunities for interaction to address any questions.
We invite you to join us on this journey through the lifecycle of endoscopic reprocessing.
Shine on endoscopic reprocessing!
Carlos Palos, MD
Consultant in Internal Medicine. Specialist in Intensive Care Medicine. Certified in Infection Prevention and Rational Use of Antimicrobials by the Portuguese Medical Association. Fellow of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID).
Scientific Director of the ASP SUMMIT 2025 SERIES – Shine on Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing
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