Decontamination (decon) in Endoscopy Units is vital to ensure a smooth working day. Anyone with some experience in any Endoscopy Units can agree that when there are some hiccups in decon, everything else becomes a true challenge. 

The main role of decontamination is for the prevention of cross-infection and management of this is essential for patient safety. The number of referrals for endoscopy procedures has grown significantly in the last decade and waiting lists seem never-ending.  This is adding enormous pressure in all endoscopy staff, decon staff and decon units.

Gastrointestinal endoscopes are complex, expensive and staff should be well informed regarding the importance of cleaning procedures, different requirements regarding the handling of the scopes and the importance of the personal protective equipment.

Several guidelines, both in the UK and worldwide, have discussed the importance of decontamination. 

Some examples are: 

• Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency’s Top Ten Tips (2016)
• BSG’s Health technical memorandum (MTH-01-06)
• Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens
• Department of Health and Social Care’s Health and Social Care Act 2008
• American Society for Gastroenterology Endoscopy, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, and the Society of Gastro-enterology Nurses and Associates’ 2024 Guidelines for Safety in the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit.

One of the many questions in recent years concerns possible solutions to combine being an effective department with good patient numbers whilst trying to reduce current costs.

Endoscopy departments are considered the third highest hazardous waste generating department in hospitals and in particular single-use endoscopes have come under fire in recent years because of their inherently wasteful nature.

any activities and initiatives are in progress to make the Endoscopy Units greener, so let’s see what the future will bring.