Zeitschrift für Infektionskrankheiten und Medizin

Cross-contamination in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Why is Less Attention Paid in Europe than the US?

Abstract

Nikolaj Birk Larsen, Sara Larsen, Sven Adamsen

Multiple published studies provide evidence that gastrointestinal endoscopes can be contaminated even after proper reprocessing and that highly contaminated endoscopes increase the risk of patient-to-patient infections. However, attention on cross-contamination and post-ERCP infections has mainly been limited to the US, despite relevant studies being published in Europe and other parts of the world. Why is this major problem being acknowledged in the US but not in most European countries? We present data from the literature illustrating that the problem is also present in Europe, thus increased focus and transition to innovative technologies and designs is recommended.