Comparison of automated and manual drying in the elimination of residual endoscope working channel fluid after reprocessing

Background and Aims: Residual fluid within endoscope working channels after reprocessing may promote growth of pathogens. Current reprocessing guidelines therefore recommend endoscope drying with administration of forced filtered air; however, the duration and modality of administered air are not specified. The new DriScope Aid device enables automated administration of filtered air at controlled pressure through all internal endoscope channels. We systematically compared, for the first time, the impact of manual drying and automated drying on retained working channel fluid and bioburden after reprocessing. Methods: We assessed for residual working channel fluid after reprocessing and/or drying by using the SteriCam borescope. Drying was performed either manually (forced filtered air) or was automated (DriScope Aid) for either 5 or 10 minutes. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence testing was performed on working channel rinsates after drying, to evaluate for residual bioburden. Results: Significantly more fluid droplets were evident after manual drying (4.55 +/- 6.14) than with automated device-facilitated drying for either 5 minutes (0.83 +/- 1.29; P Z.007) or 10 minutes (0 +/- 0; P=.001). ATP bioluminescence values were higher for manual drying compared with automated drying at 48 hours (P=.001) and 72 hours (P Z.014) after reprocessing. Conclusions: We demonstrate significantly fewer water droplets and delayed ATP bioluminescence values within endoscope working channels after automated drying compared with manual drying. In particular, virtually no retained fluid was evident within endoscope working channels after automated drying for 10 minutes. These findings support recommendations for automation of as many reprocessing steps as possible. Automated drying may decrease the risk of transmission of infection related to endoscopy.