How often must water bottles and tubing be cleaned and high-level disinfected?

The requirement to clean and high-level disinfect water bottles and tubing daily is based on the need to prevent contamination and ensure the safety of patients undergoing procedures using flexible endoscopes. Water bottles and tubing often come into direct contact with instruments that can carry pathogens, making them critical components in infection control protocols.

Daily cleaning and disinfection helps to mitigate the risk of biofilm formation, pathogen growth, and ensures that any residue from therapeutic agents or bodily fluids is effectively removed. This regular maintenance is especially important in environments like healthcare facilities, where the risk of infections must be minimized.

While some equipment may have longer intervals for cleaning based on usage and contamination risk, water bottles and tubing are often subjected to frequent and direct exposure to contaminants. Therefore, implementing daily cleaning and disinfection protocols is essential to uphold safety standards and prevent potential healthcare-associated infections.