Endoscope Reprocessing is
Still a Leading Infection Risk
FDA Calls for Action on Endoscope Safety to Reduce Infection Risk
The FDA has repeatedly issued safety communications warning that high-level disinfection cannot ensure the elimination of all microorganisms in flexible endoscopes.
Despite process improvements, patient outbreaks and exposures continue, with federal guidance now urging sterilization whenever feasible.
Ideate Medical answers that call with a validated, low-temperature solution that transforms reprocessing into a consistent standard of care based upon terminal sterilization.
“The margin of safety associated with reprocessing endoscopes is minimal. Endoscopes are heavily contaminated with microbes. The internal channel of gastrointestinal endoscopes may contain 10⁸–10¹⁰ enteric microorganisms.”
- JAMA “A Need to Shift from Disinfection to Sterilization”
Science of Contamination
Even after cleaning and high-level disinfection, complex endoscope channels often retain active microscopic bio-burden that persists.
Studies confirm that residual organic matter and biofilm protect harmful microorganisms from disinfectants.
SteroScope® changes this equation with true terminal sterilization that penetrates and deactivates bio-burden, restoring confidence.
Comparative solutions today reveal a persistent challenge in achieving endoscope sterility. Low-Temp Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide sterilization is not viable for 87% of flexible endoscopes due to its limitations
Hospitals continue to rely on traditional ETO sterilization, high-level disinfection (HLD), and single-use scopes with significant drawbacks. For example, ETO adds cost with delays and HLD leaves residual microbial risk, while single-use options are expensive, less functional, and wasteful.
Traditional ETO Sterilization
High-Level Disinfection
Single-Use Endoscopes
Patient Safety & Clinical Excellence
SteroScope® replaces disinfection with validated terminal sterilization, proven 1 million times more effective at eliminating microorganisms.
By removing human error and variability, it delivers consistent sterility assurance for every endoscope—protecting patients, reducing infection risk, and creating a new standard of clinical excellence.
Operational Efficiency & Simplification
We simplify endoscope reprocessing by eliminating drying times, zero plumbing requirements, and a 6-month sterile shelf life for the reprocessed endoscope.
The SteroScope® system eliminates drying cabinets, rinse steps, water filter maintenance, disinfection of AERs, HLD minimum effective concentration testing, and weekly reprocessing. This results in freeing staff time, reducing errors, and ensuring safety of ready-to-use scopes.
Financial & Resource Optimization
SteroScope® empowers health systems to achieve measurable savings while improving care delivery.
We eliminate significant facility costs and lower per-cycle processing costs. This allows hospitals to reduce capital waste, cut labor expenses, and strengthen financial performance without compromising patient safety.
FDA Compliance & Environmental
Our FDA-cleared and fully validated SteroScope® aligns with CDC guidance to sterilize rather than disinfect. Its low temperature, closed process produces no hazardous waste or water use, reinforcing environmental stewardship.
We ensure FDA compliance and demonstrate true leadership in infection prevention excellence.