Setting Up an Effective Reprocessing Program

ASGE works with many other organizations and agencies to develop and update recommendations and best practices related to endoscope reprocessing.

• ASGE played an integral role in developing “Essential Elements of a Reprocessing Program for Flexible Endoscopes – Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practice Advisory Committee.”

• Comprising ten chapters, ASGE’s Policy and Procedure Reference Guide for Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) is intended to provide an organized list of ASGE guidelines that may be considered appropriate for adoption in an endoscopy facility.
  Presented in chart form, the Reference Guide highlights ASGE guidelines that meet standards and conditions in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Condition for Coverage.
  

• The “Multisociety guideline on reprocessing flexible GI endoscopes and accessories” retains expanded details related to critical reprocessing steps as described in previous versions of the guideline, and updates information on issues for which data is emerging. 

• ASGE guideline for infection control during GI endoscopy, published in May 2018, disseminates information and promotes understanding of endoscopy-related transmission of infection in order to minimize its risk of occurrence.