Correction of deficiencies in flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscope cleaning and disinfection technique in family practice and internal medicine offices
F. W. Jackson and M. D. Ball
West Shore Endoscopy Center, Camp Hill, Pa., USA.
To assess whether deficiencies exist in the processing of contaminated
flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscopes in family practice and internal medicine
offices and whether training of office personnel results in a correction of
identified deficiencies, we conducted a prospective review of sigmoidoscope
processing in family practice and internal medicine offices before and
after a training course. Participants were questioned on their current
endoscope processing for 17 standards before and 2 months after receiving
training. The 19 offices had between 4 and 11 deficiencies per office
before training, with an average of 6.8 deficiencies per office. After
training, deficiencies ranged from 0 to 8, with an average of 0.9
deficiencies per office (P < or = .001; Student t test). Personnel
responsible for processing flexible sigmoidoscopes in family practice and
internal medicine offices are insufficiently trained for this function.
Endoscopes are not being processed according to current standards. After a
2-hour training period, these persons maintain their equipment close to or
according to standards.
