Guidelines on Cleaning and Disinfection in GI Endoscopy

Foreword

Since 1994, the Guidelines Committee has worked mainly on cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes and accessories. This important topic has been the subject of numerous meetings including nurses, industrial representatives and microbiologists.

Our goal has been to obtain a safely reprocessed endoscope at reasonable cost. We have taken into account that the ESGE Guidelines are circulated in countries with varying economic possibilities. The ESGE Guidelines are a strong recommendation but, within each country, endoscopists, nurses and hospital administrations have to comply with local regulations.

For these new guidelines, we have added a detailed technical protocol for the daily work of nurses and assistants, as we have been aware of multiple local variations in the use of general guidelines.

The close co-operation between the ESGE and ESGENA is a guarantee of efficacy and safety in the search for our main goal: high quality digestive endoscopy.

Aksel Kruse, MD

Treasurer: ESGE

Co-Chairman: Guidelines Committee

Jean-Francois Rey, MD

Secretary General: ESGE

Co-Chairman: Guidelines Committee