The key concern raised by this study is whether current
US endoscope reprocessing guidelines are adequate to ensure
a patient-safe gastrointestinal endoscope (one devoid of
potential pathogens) or if endoscopeswith their long, narrow
channels, right-angle turns, difficult tocleananddisinfectcomponents,
and heavy microbial contamination impossible to reliably
high-level disinfect. To examine this concern and offer
recommendations, understanding current knowledge on endoscope
reprocessing is necessary.