Guidelines on Endoscopy in patients at risk of vCJD - Dept of Health Guidance:
Decontamination of Equipment for GI Endoscopy and vCJD Issues – Some Good News at Last!
Since the last hard copy distribution of the BSG guidelines in 2003 there have been significant developments in decontamination practice, and revised guidance on endoscopy in patients at risk of variant CJD (vCJD). There is also good news in that endoscope manufacturers will shortly be in a position to offer centrally funded refurbishment of some endoscopes in quarantine. This ring-fenced funding will also make it less likely that 'invasive' endoscopy (such as biopsy and diathermy) will be denied to patients at risk of vCJD (for example patients with haemophilia and related disorders).
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"Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Agents: Safe Working and the Prevention of Infection"
Guidance from theDoH Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee
The identification of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) in March 1996, and the suggested link with consuming bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)-infected beef, led the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens to review all of its guidance on work with the agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). This led to the publication in August 1996, of general occupational guidance for those such as abattoir workers who might be incidentally exposed to the BSE agent. Following the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP)/ Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) Joint Working Group on TSEs, another guidance document aimed at laboratory and Health Care Workers was published in April 1998, entitled "Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents: Safe working and the prevention of infection".
Read the entire updated document on the Department of Health's 'Advisory Bodies' website: