Bronchoscopes are frequently used for diagnosis and therapy. Contaminated bronchos copes potentially induce not only nosocomial infection but also misdiagnosis. Therefore, cleaning and disinfection of bronchoscopes are very important. We experienced bacterial contamination of suction channel and automated endoscope reprocessing machine. Since we improved our sterilizing methods in 1987, we have seen no further contamination. In this paper, we report the procedures for the prevention of contamination of the bronchoscopes with general bacteria and MRSA. The procedures are as follows: (1) A forceps channel cap is removed and changed to gas sterilized new one. (2) A suction channel is cleaned with brush. (3) A bronchoscope is disinfected by immersion in alkali-diaminoethyl glycine (Tego-51) for 40 minutes. The Tego-51 has strong sterilizing effect against bacteria including MRSA and acid-fast bacteria. (4) An automated reprocessing machine is used not for disinfection, but only for rinsing bronchoscopes with filtered water and with air for drying. (5) All compartments of the automated machine are disinfected by irrigation with Tego-51 once a month. (6) After each procedure was accomplished, bronchoschope is sterilized in Ethilene oxide gas.
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