Colonoscopy involves examining the insides of the large intestine using a device called a colonoscope, which is sent inside the body through the anus. A colonoscope is a flexible and long tube fitted with a camera at one end to help the examiner visualise the insides of the intestine and look for any swollen or irritated tissues, ulcers, polyps, or cancer. The colonoscope can also excise pre-cancerous or cancerous polyps from the lining of the intestine to treat cancer.
Why is disinfecting colonoscopes after each use important?
Colonoscopies can screen people at risk of colon cancer and determine the reasons for digestive issues like chronic diarrhoea or constipation and rectal or anal bleeding. The procedure can be life-saving. However, they can also harm people by causing life-threatening infections, especially when the colonoscopes are not properly disinfected or decontaminated in between uses.
The uncleaned and inadequately disinfected colonoscopes can transmit disease-causing microorganisms from one person to another. Thus, colonoscopes should be disinfected and decontaminated between each use. Studies have shown that around 15% of colonoscopes at some colonoscopy centres harbour bio-dirt with harmful microorganisms. The sloppiness of colonoscopy centres and lack of quality control measures could be the reasons for inadequate decontamination.
How is a colonoscope decontaminated and disinfected?
Colonoscope cleaning after each use is the top priority for experts at Bangalore Gastro Centre Hospitals. It is one of India’s few colonoscopy centres with a dedicated decontamination unit to perform high-standard endoscope cleaning and disinfection procedure. The centre uses a specialised and fully automatic endoscope reprocessor, Olympus OER-AW, which is of international standards. This reprocessor allows for easier and quicker reprocessing and eliminates more than half of the manual cleaning steps.
The decontamination procedure starts with manual cleaning of the scope immediately after the colonoscopy procedure. This step involves precleaning, rinsing and flushing the scope using water. It is followed by brushing all accessible channels to remove debris and contaminants. It is further decontaminated in an automatic endoscopic reprocessor to achieve 100% decontamination.
The automated decontamination process starts with placing the colonoscope in the reprocessor, connecting it to all required tubes and ports, and setting a program to clean. The disinfectant used in this machine is an activated glutaraldehyde solution called CIDEX, which is 2.45% glutaraldehyde. The shelf life of this disinfectant is 14 days, and the efficacy of this solution is monitored using CIDEX solution strips before placing the scope in the machine.
The scope is soaked in this solution for 20 minutes for high-level disinfection. The external and internal channels of the scope are then exposed to multiple enzymes in every reprocessing cycle. The machine takes 34 minutes and 57 litres of RO water for each cycle of high-level disinfection and decontamination. This process takes place in a separate decontamination unit at Bangalore Gastro Centre. Most centres without automated endoscopic reprocessors wipe the colonoscopes with gauze, immerse the scope in CIDEX solution for a couple of minutes, and use the same scope for other patients. This kind of disinfection increases the risk of infections in patients. The automated decontamination process distinguishes the Bangalore Gastro Centre Hospitals from other colonoscopy centres.
The patients using colonoscopy services at Bangalore Gastro Centre also feel very comfortable as they are greeted with a smile, followed by the introduction of the endoscopic technician and staff nurse. Most patients feel anxious about the procedure. The staff makes them feel comfortable by creating a homely environment in the centre and addressing their queries. The team also keeps them informed of each step by explaining them properly to make them feel relaxed.
Visit Bangalore Gastro Centre Hospitals in HSR Layout if you are looking for a colonoscopy test in Bangalore for constipation treatment or colon cancer treatment, or treatment for any other digestive issue. It is the best gastro hospital which houses top gastroenterologists and endoscopic technicians. According to google patient reviews, it is also the top-rated gastro hospital in Bangalore. The hospital also specialises in providing piles and fissure treatment and IBS treatment.
