Hearing negative reports about sterility of probes..

core0 · Jan 18, 2007

I am considering a first colonoscopy........................check-up reasons.
But, I have heard some comments and even read a couple that said - - - probes are not always as sterile as they should be........., and , one person wrote they were certain they had picked up a virus during the colonoscopy.
I'd like to hear from some endo nurses..............

Anectdotal reports are just that anectdotal. Viral illness is common enough that it would actually be likely for one patient to come down with a viral illness within a week of a colonoscopy (especially with the current ongoing Norwalk infection). The chance of infection is small enough that ASGE does not even characterize it. As far as the endoscopes not being sterile (I am assuming that is what you are talking about), there are very rare anectdotal reports of problems (Actually by OR standards endoscopes are not sterile they are clean). The problems are usually related to human mistakes in the cleaning. A good endoscopy center will have QI processes to prevent this.

Check here:

http://www.asge.org/nspages/practice/patientcare/complications.cfm

The risk of colon cancer in a normal risk person is 1/16. The complication rate for colonoscopy is around .2 to .3% (2-3/1000) so that's the math. This is one of the best preventive medicine screening exams that you can do. One that not only screens for cancer but potentially prevents it.

Not a GI nurse, but the ones that I work with have taught me a lot.

David Carpenter, PA-C

GIRN · Jan 28, 2007

Just this week I had a patient express a concern that the scope was lying on the table before they started and the table wasn't sterile. I think that's a misconception that a lot of people have...that we use sterile instruments. We don't...as David said...they are not sterile instruments as you would find in the OR...but they ARE chemically and heat cleaned. As patients we need to go to a reputable site for the scope that we trust DOES follow the proper guidelines for cleaning endoscopes. Just as we trust that they're following the right guidelines for inserting your IV and injecting your meds. It's good to ask about these questions that are concerning you but don't let fear stop you from having that scope. Every month we see at least one person that has a screening colonoscopy only to find a life-threatening growth in the colon. By finding it early...it saves their life!