Improvement of the automatic endoscopic reprocessor: self-cleaning disinfecting connectors between endoscope and reprocessor.

Abstract

We have previously pointed out a defect of automatic endoscopic reprocessors, i. e. the contamination of the connecting part between the endoscope and the reprocessor. We evaluated a newly designed connector (MH-861; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) with a self-cleaning and disinfection mechanism, which enabled cleaning and disinfection of both the connector itself and its interface with the suction and air/water valves during a reprocessing cycle, which was not previously possible. Ten upper gastrointestinal endscopes were examined in the study. Swabs were taken from the suction and air/water valves for microbiological culture before and after reprocessing by the washer-disinfector. The numbers of contaminated endoscopes before and after reprocessing with the new connector were compared. Before the procedure there were five contaminated endoscopes and none after the procedure. When the new connector was used, the difference in cleaning and disinfection of the connecting parts was significant (P = 0.0325). We conclude that the newly developed connector permits effective cleaning and disinfection by automatic reprocessors.