Colonoscopy sterile procedure?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Just wondering if a colonoscopy is considered a sterile procedure. I didn't think so because there did not seem to be a sterile field for the one I observed. I am sure the equipment has to be sterile though. Does anyone know for sure?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Colonoscopies are considered clean procedures, not sterile. The equipment does not need to be sterilized, but it is decontaminated and cleaned with antimicrobial solutions in between uses.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Yeah, just think of where the scope is going... that area is definitely *not* sterile... LOL.

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Specializes in ICU, nutrition.

Nope, the GI tract is not sterile, so a colonscopy is not a sterile procedure. If an incision were made somewhere, like for a PEG tube placement, the skin part would be done with sterile technique, but not the scope part.

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