brushes. "We then connect it to a
machine that flushes the channels
with enzymatic soap for one
minute, and then brush the scope
one more time," says Mr.
Gonzales. He reconnects the
scope to the flushing machine,
which flushes its channels with
clean water. The outside of the
scope is also wiped down with
clean water.
"Don't forget to take ample
time cleaning the reusable button
and biopsy valves," warns Ms.
Mackler. "You have to use a small
brush to clean all the crevices
and holes and depress the air-
water valve to clean the con-
cealed hole."
After manual cleaning, Mr.
Tavera says it's important to
check the outside of the scope
with a 10x magnifing glass to
inspect for residual soil. Be sure
you take the time to inspect the
tip of the scope where bacteria
often hide, adds Mr. Tavera. You
can also use a boroscope to
examine internal channels. Visual
inspection provides added assur-
ance that the scope and its acces-
sories are clean and free from
contamination.
Scopes that are deemed to be
clean can be placed in an auto-
mated endoscope reprocessor
(AER). Unclean scopes neeed to
be manually brushed and
flushed again.
An important point: Avoid let-
ting endoscopes sit for more
than 60 minutes before cleaning.
"Delays can lead to bioburden
remaining on or in the scope,
which increases cross-contami-
nation and infection risks," says
S
E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0 • O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y . N E T • 5 1
Don't skip any of the steps and
don't go through the motions.
— Jorge Tavera, CGTS
