Table 2.
Major Sources of Contamination
| Source of Contamination | Reference(s) |
|---|---|
| Ineffective cleaning | |
| Inadequate cleaning | 17, 71 |
| Damaged internal channel | 18, 19 |
| Poorly mated internal components | 74 |
| Reusable suction valve | 20 |
| Suction channel | 20, 21 |
| Biopsy port | 71 |
| Accessories | |
| Sample collection tubing | 22 |
| Reused stopcocks for BAL fluid aspiration | 23 |
| Contaminated reprocessing equipment | |
| Automated washer | 69 |
| Rinsing tank | 24 |
| Tubing | 25 |
| Filter | 26 |
| Biofilm in reprocessor | 27, 69 |
| Cleaning brushes | 28 |
| Instilled solutions | |
| Topical anesthesia (cocaine) | 29 |
| Green dye (additive to anesthetic) | 30 |
| Atomizer | 31 |
| Disinfectant | |
| Inadequate activity | 32 |
| Incorrect disinfectant concentration dispensed by automated reprocessor | 73 |
| Contaminated glutaraldehyde | 23, 33 |
| Improper connector to reprocessor | 70 |
| Recontamination after disinfection | |
| Rinsing tap water (hospital supply) | 34, 35, 36, 37 |
| Contaminated water filters | 38, 39 |
| Reuse of “sterile water” for rinsing | 40 |
| Reassembly of valves prior to storage | 41 |
| Storage in coiled position/in cases: | 42 |