Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Baylor College of Medicine, both in Houston, conducted the study, which was published Jan. 21. They surveyed 88 nurses and technicians practicing in endoscopy units on their training and knowledge of infection control practices.
Less than 15 percent of respondents reported receiving formal training on endoscope reprocessing or infection prevention before joining their unit.
Many technicians said they began reprocessing endoscopes on their own within one month of joining the unit.
Overall, clinicians reported high levels of confidence in endoscope reprocessing, but their average assessment score for knowledge of best practices was just 62 percent.
Technicians were often less familiar with infection control issues, while nurses were less familiar with specific reprocessing protocols.
More articles on infection control:
Workforce COVID-19 vaccination rates among 6 top US hospitals
Focus on COVID-19 facilitated spread of drug-resistant infections, experts say
5 staff infected in COVID-19 outbreak at Vermont hospital’s oncology unit
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