First-of-its-Kind Study Released at the SGNA 36th Annual Conference Reveals Inconsistency...

First-of-its-Kind Study Released at the SGNA 36th Annual Conference Reveals
Inconsistency in GI Endoscope Reprocessing

ST. LOUIS, May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Preliminary results from the
first-of-its-kind Clinical Evaluation and Assessment of Endoscope Reprocessing
(CLEANR) study was released today at the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses
and Associates, Inc. (SGNA) 36th Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO. The
study indicated that while there are written endoscope reprocessing guidelines
in place at the sites who participated in the study, significant variation in
manual reprocessing takes place, leading to challenges with achieving
consistent gastrointestinal (GI) endoscope reprocessing practices. The
observational study was led by Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, of Ofstead & Associates,
Inc., a healthcare research firm, and sponsored by Advanced Sterilization
Products (ASP). Other key employee-related findings included:

-- Majority of experienced workers "disliked" some of the manual
reprocessing tasks;
-- 70 percent felt pressure to work quickly;
-- More than half experienced discomfort associated with reprocessing;
-- Employees indicated that using more automated systems provided
increased
consistency and better compliance-related documentation than manual
processing.

According to Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, lead researcher, "This study shows that
institutions have adopted written GI endoscope reprocessing guidelines, yet
there are clearly suboptimal practices and wide variations in adherence within
and between institutions. Our findings indicate the majority of employees
experience occupational health problems attributed to reprocessing, and many
of them dislike tasks associated with manual cleaning. We found that
automation improves consistency and employee satisfaction. In accordance with
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, every facility should reexamine
its practices, and seek ways to improve occupational health and reduce
infection risks for patients."

Background on Study and Additional Findings
The CLEANR Study was conducted from October 2008 through April 2009 at six
U.S. sites (only five provided data in the required timeframe) including two
gastroenterology centers, three multi-specialty hospitals, and one outpatient
surgery center. Participating sites used a variety of reprocessing
methodologies ranging from manual cleaning with brushes to automated channel
irrigators and other automated systems including the ASP EVOTECH(TM) Endoscope
Cleaner and Reprocessor. The EVOTECH(TM) System is the first commercially
available system in the U.S. that both cleans and high-level disinfects
endoscopes. It does not eliminate bedside precleaning in procedure room and
no manual cleaning is required when selecting a cycle that has a wash stage.

Managers were interviewed and individuals tasked with the responsibility of
cleaning endoscopes after a GI procedure were surveyed and their actions
documented by an observer. Managers at every site stated that written
reprocessing policies were in place. Study results indicated that GI
endoscope reprocessing time varied by the individual, and its variability
resulted in:

-- Majority of endoscopes using traditional reprocessing techniques were
not reprocessed in accordance with existing reprocessing guidelines.
-- Inconsistency in brushing, detergent flush, rinsing, alcohol flushes
and
forced-air drying times:
-- Brush times ranged from 10 seconds to 2:30 minutes.
-- Detergent flush times ranged from 18 seconds to 2:45 minutes.
-- Sites with consistent flush times were using an automated channel
irrigator.
-- Rinsing times ranged from 76 seconds to 3:20 minutes.
-- Alcohol flushes were only documented in 39.5 percent of instances.
-- Forced air was used in 81.5 percent of instances.

"ASP realizes that ensuring proper GI endoscope reprocessing is a complex and
challenging task, and not all facilities have these issues," said Barbara
Trattler, Director, Clinical Education at ASP. "ASP will continue to partner
with our customers and industry to increase awareness of best practices in
reprocessing. We are also dedicated to developing new technology solutions
such as the EVOTECH(TM) Endoscope Cleaner and Reprocessor - the first
commercially available system to eliminate the labor-intensive manual cleaning
of endoscopes - to help improve compliance and increase employee
satisfaction."

About Ofstead & Associates, Inc.
Ofstead & Associates is an independent research organization that gathers,
analyzes, interprets, and summarizes evidence-based scientific and clinical
information for clinicians and healthcare industry executives. Since 1996,
Ofstead has focused exclusively on providing customized research services for
clients in the medical field. Ofstead is committed to fostering excellence in
healthcare by combining tailored research services and medical insights with
practical approaches for developing high-quality output.

About ASP
Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP), division of Ethicon, Inc., a Johnson &
Johnson company, has a long track record of designing and delivering
innovative infection prevention solutions. Our pioneering technology, global
distribution, and established leadership position enable us to simplify the
process of buying and operating infection prevention products and services
every day, for thousands of medical facilities around the world. This in turn
enables our customers to focus on what they do best - preventing infection and
saving lives. www.evotechecr.com

SOURCE Advanced Sterilization Products

Katie Sweet of ASP, +1-949-789-3945, ksweet@its.jnj.com