內視鏡高層次消毒液之使用及管理

Use and Management of High-level Disinfection in an Endoscopy Center

消化道內視鏡檢查是現代醫學不可或缺的重要工具。消化道內視鏡有著複雜的構造，必須重複的使用在不同的病患身上。因此，消化道內視鏡每次使用前的消毒處理，關係著每一個受查病患的安全。不完全的消毒，會造成病原體在病人間的傳播而感染。在消化道內視鏡中心常用來作為高層次消毒液有戊二醛（glutaraldehyde）如鹼性戊二醛（商品名：Cidex）及鄰苯二甲醛，如0.55%磷苯二甲醛（ortho-phthalaldehyde；商品名：OPA）。在消化道內視鏡中心工作之工作人員，應該就這二種高層次消毒液之使用及管理有深切了解，方能做好單位內高層次消毒液之管理病情監測，以維護病人安全。

Endoscopic examination is an essential part of modern medicine. It is important for the diagnosis and treatment for various gastrointestinal diseases. The endoscope is expensive and is used for different patients. Therefore, the disinfection process of each endoscope before each examination is an essential part of patient safety. Inadequate disinfection may result in disease transmission between patients. Glutaraldehyde and ortho-phthalaldehyde are 2 common, high-level disinfection agents used in endoscopy centers. It is essential for staff in an endoscopy center to have sufficient knowledge about the properties, mechanism of action, and management of quality control of each agent used. This is an important key to maintaining patient safety in an endoscopy center in daily practice.