Publications on Infection Prevention

Find a selection of relevant publications, studies and Olympus white papers on endoscope reprocessing and infection prevention here.

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.

Microscope image of a rod-shaped bacterium.

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.

Image during the sampling process in which a brush coming out of the distal end of the endoscope is cut off with scissors.

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.

Image of a healthcare professional wearing PPE and flushing the endoscope channel.

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.

Close up of a swab being put in a sample container.

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.

A distal end of an endoscope in a sample container through which elution fluid runs.

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.

Image of a group of healthcare professionals working on a laptop together.

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.

Healthcare professional standing in front of the prepared sampling materials.

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.

Close-up of a nurse with PPE in reprocessing area.

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.

Healthcare professional with agar plate in hand.

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.

Endoscopist with Olympus endoscope in hand.

Scientific Summary

Nationwide Systematic Survey of Duodenoscopes

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

Laboratory staff with personal protective equipment (PPE) and test tube in hand.

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.

Medical icon with "Antibiotic Resistance" lettering.

Scientific Summary

Increase in Infections Involving MRGN Bacteria

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

Laboratory staff with personal protective equipment (PPE) and agar plate in hand.

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.