How endoscopes used in gastrointestinal tracts and colons were improperly cleaned?

The endoscope is a medical device used to analyze the organs inside the human body. It consists of a thin and flexible tube which has a light and a video camera in it. Images inside the patient’s body can be seen clearly on the screen.

A new study shows that out of 20 endoscopes 3 were found improperly cleaned used to analyze the patients. According to the researches the 15% of endoscopes consisted intolerable bio dirt levels (cells & matter) from a patient's body that could pose a threat to other patients in the way, that they are likely to cause a potential infection risk to other patients as well.

Potential infection risk factors

Only the thought of impure endoscopes is enough to turn anybody’s stomach, it can cause serious problems to the patients. Medical expert states that indecorous cleaning of the endoscopes can develop serious Bloodborne infections to the patients including HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B from the preceding patient.

Why Endoscopes is not passed a cleanliness rating?

The researchers analyzed that 275 flexible colonoscopes, duodenoscopes and gastroscopes that were used in the five hospitals in the United States found that 3%, 30% and 24% didn’t pass a hygiene rating. They further checked the devices for identifying the presence of adenosine triphosphate that is the indication of a true biological contamination.

How do clean protocols for flexible endoscopes needs improvement?

About 15 to 20 million procedures of endoscopy are conducted with reusable endoscopes. After conducting all procedures cleaned manually using an enzymatic cleaner and reddening and afterwards soaking the device in high levels of disinfectant. To judge the effectiveness of the disinfection process, the technician checks the instrument properly to make sure that it is totally cleaned. But the studies have discovered that contamination stays on the device which is invisible to the bare eyes.

The cleaning procedures carried out for flexible endoscopes need a lot of progress, such as rules tailored to identify if there is any serious step missing in the manual cleaning procedure and accepted quality-control measures.

Risk factors

Recently the endoscopes which are improperly cleaned in the United States and used for detecting the illnesses in the patients were checked for HIV and hepatitis B and hepatitis C. This was mentioned in a news release. Every year in the United States, about 15 to 20 million endoscopy procedures are carried out with refillable endoscopes to put the various parts of patients, gastrointestinal tracts  to look for the complications including cancer.

 Alternate ways of cleaning the colon

-- Water is a natural detoxifier, drink lots of water, it flushes out harmful toxins from the body in an efficient manner.
-- For fine tuning of the body eat only fruits or veggies or drink only juices.
-- Avoid the consumption of red meats and snacks because it makes the digestion process go slow and the toxins are deposited inside the body.
-- Add the probiotics before starting your cleansing program.

Conclusion

Before undergoing Endoscopy, think twice as you may suffer from various problems due to improper handling of the endoscope device. You can also use colon supplements if you want to cleanse your colon. Check the ingredients used in the supplements.