Published online Dec 16, 2023. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v15.i12.705
Peer-review started: August 10, 2023
First decision: October 9, 2023
Revised: October 20, 2023
Accepted: November 8, 2023
Article in press: November 8, 2023
Published online: December 16, 2023
Precleaning is a key step in endoscopic reprocessing.
To develop an effective and economic endoscope cleaning method by using a disposable endoscope bedside precleaning kit.
Altogether, 228 used gastrointestinal endoscopes were selected from five high-volume endoscopy units and precleaned by a traditional precleaning bucket (group T) or a disposable endoscope bedside precleaning kit (group D). Each group was further subdivided based on the replacement frequency of the cleaning solution, which was replaced every time in subgroups T1 and D1 and every several times in subgroups Ts and Ds. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level and residual proteins were measured three times: Before and after precleaning and after manual cleaning.
After precleaning, the precleaning kit significantly reduced the ATP levels (P = 0.034) and has a more stable ATP clearance rate than the traditional precleaning bucket. The precleaning kit also saved a quarter of the cost of enzymatic detergent used during the precleaning process. After manual cleaning, the ATP levels were also significantly lower in the precleaning kit group than in the traditional precleaning bucket group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the number of uses of the cleaning solution (up to four times) has no significant impact on the cleaning effect (P > 0.05).
Considering its economic cost and cleaning effect, the use of a disposable endoscope bedside precleaning kit can be an optimal option in the precleaning stage with the cleaning solution being replaced several times in the manual cleaning stage.
Core Tip: Precleaning is a key step in endoscopic reprocessing, but related studies on the matter are few. In the present study, we evaluated the role of a self-developed disposable endoscope bedside precleaning kit for endoscopic cleaning. We compared the cleaning effects between the disposable precleaning kit and traditional precleaning buckets in five endoscopy units and found that the precleaning kit has advantages in the precleaning stage. Its better precleaning effect can improve the effectiveness of the subsequent reprocessing procedures. Meanwhile, the cleaning solution used in the precleaning and manual cleaning stages was reduced, suggesting a significant cost advantage in the clinical practice.