Evaluation of a new technology for terminal sterilization of flexible endoscopes using hydrogen peroxide gas plasma

Abstract In laboratory testing, a novel hydrogen peroxide gas plasma endoscope sterilizer consistently reduced vegetative organisms, but not bacterial spores, to undetectable levels in the presence of high organism load (≥6.5 log 10 ) and organic material and salts. These findings highlight the importance of meticulous cleaning of endoscopes prior to sterilization.