Automated endoscope reprocessing (AER) uses a machine-based system that standardizes the cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of endoscopes between patient uses. It automates high-level disinfection, rinsing, and drying steps to ensure consistent disinfection. AER has become the industry standard for reducing infection risks, enhancing patient safety, and meeting regulatory requirements.
Successful Automated Endoscope Reprocessing is a complex process, involving a number of different stages from pre-wash to rinsing and drying. It also requires the expert use of many interlocking components, including an AER unit with washing chamber and controls, specialized adapters for different endoscope models, and a calibrated chemical delivery system, among others. Get a full overview of the process here.
AER improves upon manual reprocessing through:
The primary benefit of using automated reprocessors is improved patient safety. By ensuring consistent adherence to manufacturer guidelines and regulatory standards, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections related to improperly reprocessed endoscopes.
An examination of data regarding endoscope-transmitted infections found that 23.9 percent of bacterial cultures from endoscope channels on 72 gastrointestinal endoscopes resulted in the growth of more than 100,000 bacterial colonies after disinfection/sterilization and before use on the next patient.
When it comes to transmitting infection, the major factors are inadequate cleaning, staff choosing the wrong disinfecting agent, and/or staff failing to follow manufacturer guidelines for cleaning and disinfection. Facility staff should be continually trained on proper cleaning processes, but utilizing an AER can effectively avoid the latter two problems. Automating the cleaning process ensures compliance with manufacturer instructions and has been shown to more effectively remove residual organic matter.
The process of AER also ensures that flexible endoscopes are properly rinsed at the end of the disinfection cycle, which is crucial since patient exposure to disinfectants can cause issues such as chemical colitis, keratopathy, and damage to the cornea. (Residue levels of glutaraldehyde, a toxic chemical disinfectant, have been found to be 25 times higher on manually cleaned endoscopes than on those processed with an AER.)
Many of the chemicals used in high-level disinfection can have profound, negative effects on health. For example, exposure to liquid glutaraldehyde can result in nasal irritation and bleeding, difficulty breathing, throat/lung irritation, hives, and contact dermatitis. Manual disinfection processes have the potential to expose workers to such disinfectant agents, while modern AERs, such as Advanced Sterilization Products’ EVOTECH™ Endoscope Cleaner and Reprocessor (ECR), protect staff by minimizing exposure to disinfectant agents.
In larger, busier facilities—especially those with multiple reprocessing areas—it can be tough to make sure all staff use the same processes for reprocessing flexible endoscopes. Plus, there may be pressure to reprocess pieces as rapidly as possible to cope with case volume. This can lead staff to use procedural shortcuts and neglect attention to detail in order to move pieces faster. By purchasing and deploying modern AERs across your facility’s reprocessing areas, you can make sure that all technicians adhere to the established processes and reduce the opportunities for human errors that compromise patient care.
While human oversight is important in some workflows, AERs eliminate the variability and potential for oversight that often accompany manual disinfection.
During a manual process, for instance, the scope must be completely submerged for the appropriate amount of time, loosely coiled to prevent damage, and the disinfectant must be manually injected into all the scope ports. An AER allows for proper placement and ensures adequate contact and exposure with the disinfectant, provided the instructions for use are closely followed.
Additionally, using an automatic endoscope reprocessor lowers the risk of damaging endoscopes. Endoscopes are fragile and can be easily harmed if technicians mishandle them during a manual soak. A damaged endoscope that is put back into the rotation can negatively impact patient safety, while also hurting your facility’s budget by requiring expensive repairs and replacements.
Automation streamlines workflow and reduces the time staff spend on manual documentation. This efficiency translates to better resource utilization and potentially higher throughput in busy departments.
A 2014 study on endoscope use in Russia, China, and India found significant increases in productivity when facilities switched to automated endoscope reprocessing—especially when the average manual soak time was longer than the average endoscopy procedure time. For example, in Russia, the average endoscopy procedure time was 24.4 minutes, while the average manual endoscope turnaround time was 47.5 minutes. Switching from manual reprocessing to an AER reduced turnaround time and increased efficiency to the extent that the Russian facility was able to add an average of 3.9 procedures per day. This improved efficiency was consistent in facilities where the manual process times were already fairly rapid.
AERs lead to a variety of financial benefits. First, an increase in productivity means more cases can be scheduled and processed each day, which means facilities will have higher profitability. Additionally, 18 percent of endoscope damage happens while they’re being handled for reprocessing—and AER reduces handling of endoscopes by 34 percent. Thus, a switch to an AER would decrease endoscope damage and the need for repairs, saving facilities money which in today’s healthcare market is critical.
When you line up these benefits next to the cost of an AER, it should be easy to see that an AER will rapidly pay for itself—whether through decreased endoscope repair, increased productivity, decreased staff downtime, or improved patient safety. Switching from manual soak to automated reprocessing is, quite simply, a no-brainer.
Providing the highest level of patient safety should always be the top priority in everything that you do. Replacing your manual soaking process with an automatic process is an easy way to support patient safety.
Manual reprocessing cannot guarantee proper sterilization, and it carries an increased risk of cross-contamination, according to Infection Control Today. An endoscope that isn’t properly cleaned and disinfected can retain and transmit the infection from one patient to the next. Per AAMI ST 91, 2015 using an AER is not met to replace the point of use cleaning and the manual cleaning of the scope prior to high level disinfecting or sterilizing.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use for the processing of flexible endoscopes. If there is a discrepancy between the instructions for use of the AER and the flexible endoscope, a decision should be made based on the information obtained from both manufacturers. Flexible endoscopes must always be handled with care throughout all the processing steps.
While automated endoscope reprocessing offers significant advantages over manual methods, healthcare facilities must address several challenges to ensure optimal outcomes and patient safety.
Despite automation, effective AER implementation depends heavily on well-trained staff and proper system maintenance:
Facilities must invest in comprehensive training programs that cover both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice. Additionally, establishing clear maintenance protocols and service agreements helps maximize AER system longevity and performance reliability.
Even with automated systems, several risks require proactive management:
Understanding these common scope reprocessing failures and how to avoid them is essential to fully seize the benefits of using an automated endoscope reprocessing program. Effective risk mitigation strategies include standardized protocols, regular competency assessments, and implementing electronic tracking systems that provide alerts when steps are missed or parameters fall outside acceptable ranges.
What does the future hold for automated endoscope reprocessing? The field continues to evolve with several emerging trends:
These innovations aim to further improve patient safety while simultaneously enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. As regulatory requirements become increasingly stringent, next-generation AER technologies will likely incorporate more comprehensive tracking and verification features.
ScopeTrac Advanced represents the cutting edge of endoscope management technology, addressing many challenges associated with traditional reprocessing methods:
By implementing ScopeTrac Advanced, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce reprocessing errors while streamlining workflow. The system's intuitive interface minimizes training requirements while maximizing compliance, helping departments meet regulatory standards without sacrificing efficiency. The robust reporting capabilities also provide administrators with valuable insights for process improvement and quality assurance, making ScopeTrac Advanced an essential component of modern endoscope reprocessing programs.
Automated Endoscope Reprocessors (AERs) are machines used in Sterile Processing and Endo/GI Departments to reprocess endoscopes, such as duodenoscopes, and endoscope accessories. AERs are designed to kill microorganisms in or on reusable endoscopes by exposing their outside surfaces and interior channels to high level disinfectant or liquid chemical sterilant solutions.1
While glutaraldehyde has historically been the most commonly used high-level disinfectant for automated endoscope reprocessors (AERs).
Glutaraldehyde (2-3.5%) remains popular due to its:
Many healthcare facilities use electronic tracking systems like ScopeTrac Advanced to monitor disinfectant parameters including concentration, temperature, and contact time to ensure optimal disinfection.
Reprocessing times vary when reprocessing endoscopes depending on the type of scope. Typical steps included in endoscope reprocessing include:
Note: If scope reprocessing does not start within 60 minutes upon completion of procedure, then extended reprocessing is required which involves additional soak time.