M A Y 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 4 1
age. After the leak test, start the manual cleaning process using
single-use sponges and brushes. Wipe down the exterior of the
scope and run the brushes through the channels with short, slow
strokes so you don't leave debris behind.
4. Inside look. During the manual cleaning process, utilize a
boroscope to inspect the scope's inner channels to ensure all
bioburden has been removed. Using the borescope to look
closely at the inside of the endoscope is extremely important
because you can see if there is bioburden stuck inside the scope
that your brush isn't removing.
5. Smart storage. After removing the scope from the automatic
endoscope reprocessor, hang it in a storage cabinet. At the very
least, storage cabinets should have doors and integrated vents
with HEPA filters to treat circulating air. Endoscope-specific cabi-
nets circulate medical-grade air to dry internal channels and
external surfaces to prevent moisture and condensation from
forming in the working channels.
— Mike Morsch
instrument's instructions for use (IFU) — systems pre-load every
instrument's manual into a searchable system — and photos and
descriptions of specific devices with a quick scan of a barcode or
click of a mouse. That's a potentially huge timesaver.
You're probably familiar with how barcode technology works:
Reprocessing techs scan sets of instruments as they arrive in central
sterile, before and after sterilization, and again when they're sent back
to the ORs. Some companies now offer ways to track even the small-
est of instruments. Instead of placing physical tags on instruments
