(Society)I entrusted you with the endoscope. Disinfection of equipment at 539 research institutions ‘inappropriate’

According to an analysis of National Health Insurance Corporation data by Baek Jong-heon, member of the National Health and Welfare Committee, on the 23rd, between 2019 and September 2019, 593 gastroscopy and colonoscopy disinfection inspections were carried out in 28,783 national health research institutions. years, or 2.1%, were assessed as ‘insufficient’.

If endoscopic instruments are not cleaned or disinfected, or if they violate regulations by reusing disposable accessories, they are assessed as inappropriate.

By type of endoscope, 375 medical institutions were found to be unsuitable for the disinfection inspection of gastroscopy instruments, and 82.9% (311) of them were clinical-level medical institutions. There were 218 medical institutions that were considered inappropriate in the disinfection inspection of colonoscopy equipment, and 76.6% (167 medical institutions) of them were clinical-level medical institutions.

Among them, the amount charged for cleaning and disinfecting endoscopic instruments increased by 16.1%, from 74.1 billion won in 2019 to 82.9 billion won in 2023.

According to the Health Insurance Corporation Disinfection Manual, most high-quality disinfection solutions used for endoscopic disinfection can be reused. However, if the disinfectant is used repeatedly for a long time, the disinfectant effect decreases and the expired disinfectant should be discarded.

However, the notice from the Ministry of Health and Welfare only shows the time, type and cleaning method of the disinfectant, which critics say should be in addition to the content regarding the disposal of the disinfectant.

“There is concern that patients undergoing endoscopic examinations may become ill due to excessive reuse of disinfectants and the use of endoscopic instruments that have not been properly disinfected,” Baek said. “The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Administration should revise the guidelines for the reuse and disposal of endoscopic disinfectants and strengthen the management and supervision of endoscopic disinfectants.”

Reporter Lee Yu Na from the Digital News Team.

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