Hang Time of Endoscopes: a Controversial Issue

IntroductionGI endoscopic procedures are frequently used all over the worlds and efficient reprocessing of GI endoscopes is critical for patient safety. Several guidelines exist for its reprocessing. However, safe shelf life or hang time of endoscope is not k nown. Safe shelf life is the length of time for which endoscopes remain bacteria−free between use in the last case of one day and the first case of the next day i.e. shelf time isthe storage time after which endoscopes should be reprocessed before additional use. This is an important .issue since each facility faces it every day. This review aimed to find what safe endoscopic hang time is Material & Methods This is a systematic review. MEDLINE, Google scholar as searched for Persian and English-language articles published anytime with keywords including reprocessing, endoscope, shelf life, and hang time. .Relevant papers were extracted and reviewed Results There is no conclusive evidence in this issue. Some guidelines e.g ESGE, ESGNA, SGNA makes no exact recommendation for endoscope shelf life. Some guidelines and studies suggest a safe time. The mentioned time is very different from 12 hours to 21 days or even 8 weeks without additional reprocessing before use. The most frequent mentioned time is 7 to 14 days. It is dependent on the endoscope type, .quality of drying, quality and type of cleaning and disinfection, and storage proceduresConclusion There is different evidence about this issue. Some available recommendations are based on studies that however, have methodological design limitations. In addition, available results are only valid when endoscopes are properly reprocessed, dried, and hung vertically in a clean and well-ventilated cabinet. Further studies are necessary to evaluate whether these findings apply to other reprocessing systems and .disinfection agents

Keywords:

shelf time , hang time , endoscope