What is Endoscope Sampling and Culturing?

Published on:

June 5, 2025

Last updated on:

June 5, 2025

• Expert Q&A

Question:

What is Endoscope Sampling and Culturing?

Answer:

Endoscope sampling and culturing refers to a quality assurance process that is performed after an endoscope has undergone cleaning and high-level disinfection. The purpose of endoscope sampling and culturing is to surveil for residual contamination on and in the endoscope. Contamination may be present due to a number of causes such as:

• Poor manual cleaning

• Ineffective high-level disinfection

• Unclean storage and transport conditions

• Breaks in aseptic technique during sampling

Globally, several endoscope sampling and culturing guidelines exist. The protocols vary across multiple factors including sampling locations, collection and culturing methodologies, and interpretation of culture results. Sampling locations can include the channels of the endoscope and the distal tip, particularly when an elevator mechanism is present. Collection practices generally involve flushing of the sampling locations but may also include a brushing component. And the classification of “high concern” or “indicator” organisms and concerning colony forming unit counts (CFU) varies too. Some countries, like France, require all facilities to sample and culture, while other countries, like the United States, have voluntary implementation by healthcare facilities. Overall, sampling and culturing can provide insights into the quality of a facility’s endoscope reprocessing, but the implementation and sustainment of such a program requires thoughtful execution, robust supplies, and support from a multidisciplinary team including providers, reprocessing technicians, microbiologists, infection preventionists, and many more.