Even with current high-level disinfection protocols, endoscope-related contamination rates remain high-up to 16.1%. Complex designs, manual processes, and human error contribute to infection risk.

• Key Fact: Infections linked to duodenoscope use continue to affect high-risk populations, especially in ERCP procedures.

Why Duodenoscopes Demand More

• Intricate designs with elevator mechanisms make cleaning difficult.
• Outbreaks from improperly reprocessed duodenoscopes have triggered FDA mandates and Congressional investigations.
• Studies show persistent contamination even after proper HLD.

The ULTRA GI™ Cycle targets these risks with a sterilization method validated for duodenoscopes.

Environmental & Operational Impact

While single-use scopes eliminate cross-contamination risk, they:

• Generate 40% more medical waste
• Have a 2.3x higher carbon footprint
• Raise cost and supply chain concerns

ASP’s ULTRA GI™ Cycle offers a sustainable solution: enabling reuse of scopes with effective, low-temp sterilization.

Sterilization vs. Disinfection

Disinfection reduces most pathogens but does not eliminate spores. Sterilization, as enabled by the ULTRA GI™ Cycle, destroys all microbial life, including highly resistant spores.

High-Risk Patients Need a Higher Standard 

• ERCP patients are often immunocompromised-transplant recipients, cancer survivors, elderly.
• They deserve the highest margin of safety.
• Clinical Findings: Up to 5.5% of patients had infections within 30 days post-ERCP.
• 97% of transplant patients undergoing ERCP required therapeutic intervention.

Start the conversation on increased safety in your sterilization department now!