Faithful implementation of new technologies and research will prevent all infections associated with medical devices and the environment.

BACKGROUND

Noncritical surfaces (including floors) and equipment (eg, blood pressure cuff) and semicritical items (eg, flexible endoscopes) have an infection risk associated with their use.

METHODS

The published literature was used to identify technologies and advancements in the decontamination of surfaces and sterilization of flexible endoscopes.

RESULTS

The infection risk associated with noncritical surfaces and flexible endoscopes can be prevented via new technologies (eg, cleaning followed by terminal sterilization of used endoscopes, ultraviolet [UV]-C, and far UV-C).

CONCLUSIONS

Faithful implementation of new technologies will eliminate all infection risks associated with surfaces and flexible endoscopes.