Endoscopy, a new disinfection system for instruments for maximum patient safety

Hospital infections are an important complication of clinical and care pathways. As Dr. Michele Lagioia, Medical Director of Humanitas, explains: “It is estimated that every year about 5-8% of hospitalized patients contract an infection, with consequences that can range from lengthening the length of stay to a marked worsening of the overall prognosis. Especially systemic infections with multi-resistant germs can have fatal consequences. The economic and managerial impact of all the problems that a hospital infection causes should not be underestimated.

Urinary tract infections, surgical wounds, respiratory tract infections and systemic infections (sepsis, bacteremia) are the main types of infections linked to care practices.

Endoscopy is one of the most high-risk hospital environments (as bacteria can spread from an instrument inside the circulatory stream) and in order to ensure maximum patient safety, Humanitas has activated a new system for the disinfection of flexible endoscopic instruments.

 

The new disinfection system

The new system for the disinfection of flexible endoscopic instruments guarantees standards close to sterility. Thanks to the use of a latest-generation computer system, it is possible to follow and trace the path of the instruments from the use phase to the storage phase, with safety and precision.

Thanks to this new technology, the instrument is treated with very high disinfection and delivered to the clean area, and finally stored in a special cabinet, which allows optimal storage for up to thirty days, without the risk of the formation of endogenous contamination.

 

Maximum patient safety

“Humanitas endoscopy is at the forefront of the fight against hospital infections, using the most advanced technologies and processes to ensure maximum patient safety,” said Professor Alessandro Repici, Head of Digestive Endoscopy at Humanitas.

“With a view to improving, we have reviewed the paths and the entire process of reconditioning the instruments, in line with Italian and international guidelines. The aim is to have greater control over the treatment of endoscopes and a consequent reduction in human error. An action therefore scrupulous and careful in providing a safer product,” added Dr. Elena Rossetti, nursing coordinator.