• Endoscope shelf life or "hang time" (the interval of storage after which endoscopes should be reprocessed before use)
• The role of microbiological surveillance testing of endoscopes after reprocessing
• Questions regarding endoscope durability and longevity from the standpoint of infection prevention

To read all of the recommendations in the guideline, see the June issues of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

The 2011 update was initially drafted by the Quality Assurance in Endoscopy Committee of ASGE and the Guideline Committee of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. Thereafter, significant input from the endorsing organizations was incorporated and distributed for consensus. The updated guideline has received the endorsement of the following organizations, which are committed to assisting the FDA, equivalent international agencies and manufacturers in addressing critical infection control issues in GI device reprocessing:

• American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
• Society for Healthcare Epidemiology
• American College of Gastroenterology
• American Gastroenterological Association
• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
• Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care
• Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
• Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
• The Joint Commission
• Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic S
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