What are the risks of getting infections from endoscopy?

Question

Hi I wonder if anyone could provide more info on this please?I'm due for an endoscopy in a couple of weeks. However, upon doing some reserach on the hospital where it'll be done, I found that it was listed as 'London's dirtiest hotel' in a spot check done recently. I am really worried about the possibility of contractiong something like HIV or Hepatitis C through an endoscopy procedure??So now, I'm as stressed out about this as well as the lump I feel in my throat.
Would appreciate any advice/answers?

Answer 1

Ask the doctor to start you on Antibiotics before the endoscopy and continue for a few days after. Don't take chances with NHS badly cleaned hospitals.....

Answer 2

I agree with father o: if you are worried go elswhere. Theoretically everything should be sterilized in autoclaves and we must scrub with a germ killing solution for AT LEAST 20 minutes. Cross checks are taken at random from swabs from the material under the surgeon's nails and if the result is positive the name of the culprit is posted all over the hospital....ouch that hurts. However however you cannot say that everything is 100% sure and therefore after each endoscopic operation the patient is given antibiotics : broadband and specifics if an infection was present. Dont forget that endoscopy is a lot less invasive than laparotomies for instance and therefore the risk is less. Of course if the hospital does not apply the required procedures........ good luck.

Answer 3

The major risks are pain, bleeding, or infection. For gastrointestinal endoscopy, there is also a risk of perforation (tearing) of the intestinal wall.
Reactions to the anesthesia may rarely occur, and for this reason your breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen level will be monitored during the procedure.
Please see the web pages for more details on Endoscopy.

Answer 4

I would definitely suggest you go elsewhere if you are not comfortable with the cleanliness of this facility. I wouldn't take a chance with something like this. Unfortunately, the reality is that we don't really know whether the instruments are being cleaned properly or not--- they are supposed to be, but who knows. I think you should reschedule somewhere you feel is cleaner and pray and ask God to protect you. Good Luck!! I'll send a prayer up for you :)

Answer 5

Mine is next week.

My surgeon always tells me about the possibility of problems, and it almost sounds word for word like the speech rthe last time. he tells me, he discusses the risks with everybody, every procedure.
Sounds like "CYA"
However, the risks are very, very small and I have confidence in my doctor..

I have a question for you. Being in London, how hard is it to change doctors or hospitals??

Answer 6

I was told that an oops can happen by perforating the lining. Hopefully you get a skilled doctor. But don't feel stress, just pray about and leave it in the hands of the Lord

Answer 7

I suppose everything carries risk but the risk in this case should be 0 since all instruments should be sterilized. But if you're worried go elsewhere.