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R E P R O C E S S I N G
then flush the machine thoroughly to ensure traces of the neutralizing
agent don't impact scope reprocessing. Our newer machine uses disinfectant that needs to be diluted, not neutralized, and does this automatically.
We're comparing the cost of upgrading our older reprocessors to
comply with the new state regulations and how much the high-level
disinfectant neutralizer costs to simply buying newer models. We're
also trying to determine if changing the disinfectant in our older
machines to a hydrogen-peroxide-based solution that doesn't need to
be neutralized would be more cost effective. In the end, to meet your
state's requirements — or just to shave valuable minutes off of scope
reprocessing times — it might be easiest to invest in an AER that
makes the process quick and easy.
5. Bio-burden testing
Ensuring the proper high-level disinfection of scopes isn't straightforward, so we recently invested in bio-burden testers, which measure
residual bacteria that remain in scopes after reprocessing. To test a
scope, techs run a wire-handled swab into its channel and place the
swab in the tester, which measures bio-burden levels (a score of 45 or
less is considered acceptable). How well do my reprocessing techs do
their jobs? At first, one of the techs didn't think the testers worked
properly because the scopes we sampled turned up zero bio-burden.
We decided to test a dirty scope, which produced a level close to
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | M A R C H 2013
