A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 9
T
hat flexible endoscope certainly looks clean. As well it
should. The reprocessing tech leak tested the scope,
flushed and brushed the internal channels, and ran it
through the automated endoscope reprocessor for the
proper cycle. After an alcohol purge and air drying, it's
now back in the procedure room, ready to use on the next patient. Or is
it?
Look closely at the scope's distal tip. Closer. Closer still. There's
bioburden right there. Still don't see it? What about the nicks, chips
and discoloration? You probably can't see those either. That's because
Weston "Hank" Balch, CRCST, CER, CIS, CHL | San Antonio, Texas
• MISSED A SPOT Small-diameter borescopes let you see inside of a device to visually verify cleanliness before high-level dis-
infection or terminal sterilization. Some models can take photos and short videos for documentation purposes.
Is That Scope Clean? Verify It
Now you can confirm that reprocessed scopes have no residual
contamination or damage that could harbor future microbes.
