The implementation of a manual pretreatment phase increases the efficacy of automated reprocessing procedures in postprocedural bronchoscopes

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Published May 1, 2025
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v103i5.5237
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Vol. 103 No. 5 (2025): Tunis Med May 2025

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Lamia Melalka
Center for Doctoral Studies in Life and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Mohamed V University of Rabat, Morocco
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9296-3338
Nada Saout
Center for Doctoral Studies in Life and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Mohamed V University of Rabat, Morocco
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8424-9393
Fouad Assi
Center for Doctoral Studies in Life and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Mohamed V University of Rabat, Morocco
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7554-0202
Yassine Sekhsoukh
Center for Doctoral Studies in Life and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Mohamed V University of Rabat, Morocco Department of the P3 Research and Biosafety Laboratory. Mohammed V Military Training Hospital, Rabat Morocco
Mimoun Zouhdi
Center for Doctoral Studies in Life and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Mohamed V University of Rabat, Morocco Department of the Bacteriology, Serology, Hygiene Laboratory at the Ibn Sina Rabat University Hospital Center Morocco

Abstract

Introduction: The reprocessing of flexible endoscopes has become a major research topic in


recent decades. The risk of endoscopy-related bacterial, fungal or viral outbreaks is increasing,


particularly those involving multi-resistant strains.


Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the importance of implementing a manual pre-


treatment phase in conjunction with HDL (High Level Disinfection) cleaning using a Steelco


automated washer-disinfector. The aim of the study was to determine whether neglecting the


manual pre-treatment phase, despite the use of a high-quality automated disinfector, leads to the spread of biofilms and of germs likely to cause healthcare-associated infections.


Methods: To achieve this objective, an extensive microbiological sampling process was carried


out on bronchoscopes under normal cleaning and disinfection conditions prior to the introduction


of the pre-treatment phase.


Based on the results of these samplings, the Quality Control Circle (QCC) team proceeded to


identify and analyze potential causes using the ISHIKAWA diagram during brainstorming


sessions, following which microbiological sampling of the bronchoscopes after implementation


of the results of the cause analysis was carried out.


Results: The results indicate complete elimination of bacterial strains after implementation of


manual pretreatment followed by automated treatment, in line with international disinfection


standards.


Conclusion: The implementation of a pre-treatment phase followed by a Steelco


automated washer-disinfector significantly reduced microbial contamination in bronchoscopes.

Keywords:

Endoscope reprocessing, , pretreatment phase, automated disinfection, microbial contamination, infection control

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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