Publications on Infection Prevention

Access relevant publications, studies, Olympus white papers, subject matter expert Q&A, and new: key facts - providing valuable education and resources on endoscope reprocessing and infection prevention.

Scientific Summary

Type Testing Washer-Disinfectors (AERs/EWDs), Part 2

Get insights on challenges faced by the manufacturers of AERs/EWDs and endoscopes when establishing endoscope type test groups in accordance with ISO 15883-4:2018, Annex H.

Scientific Summary

Type Testing Washer-Disinfectors (AERs/EWDs), Part 3

Delve into more details about the scope and conduct of testing for process chemicals not included by the AER/EWD manufacturer in the type test.

Key Fact

Best Practices for Maintaining Automated Endoscope Reprocessors

Proper maintenance of automated endoscope reprocessors (AER/EWD) is important to support safe and effective reprocessing, help reduce contamination risks and support system reliability.

Key Fact

Is it dry? An Overview of Flexible Endoscope Channel Dryness Indicators

Flexible endoscope channel drying relies on indicators such as visual checks, borescope inspection, and moisture-sensitive paper to help confirm dryness and reduce contamination risk.

Key Fact

Every Step Matters: Quality Assurance in Endoscope Reprocessing

Quality assurance can support safe, consistent endoscope reprocessing. Explore the key measures that can improve compliance, traceability, and patient safety at every step.

Scientific Summary

Comparison of Three Methods for Claiming Biofilm Disinfection

Get insights about the comparison of three Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm models and their resistance to PAA disinfectants. Discover why mature biofilms should be included in efficacy testing.

Expert Q&A

Understanding the Difference Between Operation and Reprocessing Manuals

Learn the difference between operation and reprocessing manuals and why both are important for safe use and infection prevention, and can support alignment with applicable regulatory requirements.

Expert Q&A

Why the Distal End Deserves Extra Attention

The distal end of an endoscope contains critical components and is at a higher risk of damage. Learn why careful handling and inspection are essential for infection prevention.

Expert Q&A

Timing of Endoscope Visual Inspections

Visual inspection before, during, and after use helps verify endoscope function and cleanliness, supporting safe procedures and catching issues early.

Expert Q&A

Why Training Matters in Reprocessing

Structured education is essential for safe, consistent endoscope reprocessing. Learn why training, competency, and ongoing learning are key to protecting patients and supporting staff.

Expert Q&A

How Long Should Leak Testing Take?

While IFUs and standards define minimum leak testing times, quality leak testing cannot be reduced to a stopwatch. Learn why time alone doesn’t determine the quality of a leak test.

Expert Q&A

Leak Testing Best Practices: Why Technique Matters

Leak testing helps identify damage before fluid invasion occurs. Learn why proper technique, including angulation and control manipulation, is critical for effective leak testing.

Scientific Summary

Olympus Symposium During WFHSS 2025

View the recording of the 45-minute symposium focused on advancing infection prevention and patient safety in endoscope reprocessing.

Scientific Summary

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Explore antimicrobial resistance trends in endoscopy, including surveillance methods, biofilm risks, AST and WGS strategies to strengthen infection prevention and endoscope reprocessing practices.

Infographic

Mitigating Microbial Contamination

This comparative study of duodenoscopes examines how enhanced sampling controls can reduce contamination rates, shorten quarantine periods, and lower infection risk during ERCP.

Expert Q&A

Endoscope Cleaning Verification Testing

Use cleaning verification to assess manual cleaning effectiveness, improve reprocessing consistency, and meet evolving guidelines for endoscope and patient safety.

Expert Q&A

Implementing Endoscope Sampling and Culturing

Endoscope sampling and culturing provides quantitative insights into potential contamination and informs end-users about opportunities to improve reprocessing steps from precleaning to storage.

Expert Q&A

Do EWDs/AERs Dry Endoscopes?

Not all EWDs/AERs have the same drying capabilities. Understanding global differences in drying programs across these devices is important.

Expert Q&A

Wet vs. Dry Leak Testing

Leak testing is a critical step in endoscope reprocessing, and there are multiple ways to perform it. Learn more about the differences between wet versus dry leak testing.

Infographic

Mitigating the Spread of Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens

Explore how proper endoscope reprocessing and IFU adherence help fight antibiotic-resistant infections in GI procedures. Learn key risks and prevention strategies.

Expert Q&A

Infection Prevention Benefits of Switching to an EWD/AER

EWDs/AERs enhance patient safety by helping to reduce human error, promote consistent disinfection, minimize chemical exposure, and provide advanced monitoring for effective endoscope reprocessing.

Expert Q&A

Resources on Best Practices in Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing

Learn about best practices in flexible endoscope reprocessing by following manufacturer IFUs and consulting professional guidelines and national standards for comprehensive, up-to-date best practices.

Expert Q&A

What is Endoscope Sampling and Culturing?

Explore key insights in endoscopy - what is endoscope sampling and culturing, why it matters, and how it supports patient safety through effective reprocessing practices.

Scientific Summary

Antibiotic vs. Disinfectant Resistance in Endoscopy Procedures

Explore the key differences between antibiotic and disinfectant resistance in GI endoscopy, and their impact on infection control, device reprocessing, and patient safety.

Scientific Summary

Olympus Symposium During WFHSS 2024

Explore the interactive symposium and gain valuable insights to support infection prevention and patient safety in endoscope reprocessing procedures.

Scientific Summary

Key Strategies for Preventing Infections and Downtime

Regular maintenance of sterilization equipment is essential to prevent infections and ensure patient safety by following proper protocols and standards.

Scientific Summary

Acinetobacter and Endoscopy

Learn how Acinetobacter evolved from natural habitats to medical settings, its role in microbial surveillance, and its potential risks in medical environments.

Scientific Summary

Endoscope Sampling and Culturing Methods

Learn about a study comparing six duodenoscope sampling methods, revealing microbial recovery rates from 1% to 39%, highlighting the need for standardized endoscope contamination monitoring.

Scientific Summary

The Drying of Flexible Endoscopes

Discover the critical role of endoscope drying in preventing bacterial growth. Explore various drying methods, including alcohol flush and learn about real-world evaluations in endoscopy units.

Scientific Summary

Olympus Symposium During WFHSS 2023

Gain valuable insights from the interactive symposium focusing on the importance of sampling and culturing to enhance reprocessing quality.

Infographic

Microbiology: The Meaning of Contamination

Find out more about possible routes of infection and important key terminology associated with contamination.

Scientific Summary

Retrospective Analysis of Microbiological Endoscope Samples

The study written by Lionel Pineau provides a comprehensive analysis of 90,311 endoscope samples collected between 2004 and 2021 in 490 French private or public healthcare facilities.

Scientific Summary

Elution of Working Channels With the Flush-Brush-Flush-Method

Compared with flush sampling alone, the use of an endoscope cleaning brush and a second flush step can detect more microorganisms in a higher percentage.

Scientific Summary

Results Endoscope Hygiene Experts Forum

Read more about the results of the EHEF as well as latest topics in infection prevention in the areas of quality control, scope innovations, and training refinements.

Infographic

Sampling and Culturing: Stage One – Sampling

Microbiological sampling and culturing is a multi-step surveillance testing technique. In stage one, the sampling of the endoscope channels and critical areas is performed.

Infographic

Sampling and Culturing: Stage Two – Culturing

Microbiological sampling and culturing is a multi-step surveillance testing technique. Stage two evaluates collected samples to detect any contamination after reprocessing.

Scientific Summary

Understanding the Differences in Sampling and Culturing

Gain insides about sampling and culturing of flexible endoscopes, why it is essential in infection prevention and why a unified approach is so important.

Infographic

Microbiology: The Role of the Microbiome

Learn more about the microbiome: what is the microbiome, why are microbiomes important for our health, and how to improve infection prevention in endoscopy.

Infographic

Microbiology: The Basics of Bacteria

Important facts: the definition, the difference between commensal vs harmful and how to minimize infection risks in endoscopy.

Scientific Summary

Why Disinfection Remains the Standard for Reprocessing

The differences between disinfection and sterilization, and why liquid chemical sterilization does not sterilize your flexible endoscopes.

Scientific Summary

Evolution in Disinfection and Sterilization

Find out more about the Spaulding Classification and if now is the right time to reassess the standards used to measure medical device processing.

White Paper

The Importance of Endoscope Channel Drying

The maintenance of dry storage conditions can help to prevent bacterial growth and preserve the cleanliness of the reprocessed endoscope.

White Paper

Delays in Endoscope Reprocessing … and the Biofilms Within

Insights and important facts why reprocessing of endoscopes as soon as possible after the use of procedures is essential.

White Paper

Tips and Tricks for Sampling and Culturing

Employing an endoscope sampling and culturing program can be very beneficial in detecting contamination before patient use.

Scientific Summary

US Study: Sampling, Culturing, and Evaluating Correctly

The study has shown that implementing a sampling and culturing program helps to increase patient safety and improves internal quality assurance.

Scientific Summary

Nationwide Systematic Survey of Duodenoscopes

Study from the Netherlands investigated the prevalence of contamination among duodenoscopes used for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Scientific Summary

Study on Contamination Risks from EUS and Duodenoscopes

A nationwide study in the Netherlands investigated the prevalence of contaminated duodenoscopes and linear ultrasound endoscopes.

Scientific Summary

Increase in Infections Involving MRGN Bacteria

In recent years, infections involving multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MRGN) have increased dramatically worldwide.

Scientific Summary

Clostridioides difficile: Relevance, Ribotypes, and Endoscope Reprocessing

If flexible endoscopes are cleaned and disinfected thoroughly, endoscopic procedures pose no risk in terms of the transmission of Clostridioides difficile.

Scientific Summary

Mobile Colistin Resistance (MCR-1) Transmitted via Duodenoscope

Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are increasingly demonstrating resistance even to reserve antibiotics such as colistin.

Scientific Summary

No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 on Endoscopes

Pilot study investigates how effectively SARS-CoV-2 is removed during reprocessing. The risk of transmission is very low.

Scientific Summary

Outbreak of Extensively Drug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

When outbreaks involving XDR pathogens occur, a high level of awareness and risk-reduction measures are required to prevent cases of transmission.

Scientific Summary

Very low Risk of Endoscope-Related CJD/vCJD Cases

Review reprocessing of flexible endoscope in regard to different types of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. Risk of endoscope-related cases is very low.