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E N D O S C O P E
R E P R O C E S S I N G
Here's what to look for when
shopping for units that turn around
scopes quickly and safely.
Jim Collins, BS, RN, CNOR | Cleveland, Ohio
T
oday's automated endoscope reprocessors are sophisticated
machines that do it all — pre-clean, test for leaks, alcohol
flush for improved drying — to get instruments back into the
hands of your physicians sooner and safer. So what should you look
for when shopping for an AER that's right for your facility? That
depends on several factors.
1
The disinfectants
Many GI facilities are opting for ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA)
over glutaraldehyde because of OPA's greater disinfecting
effectiveness and significantly shorter exposure time. Most of the
new automated reprocessors employ oxidative agents such as peracetic acid that are more expensive options than simple aldehydes,
but also more effective as germicidal solutions. In general, oxidative
chemistries offer a better kill and less exposure time than aldeholbased solutions.
AERs with the capability to heat the high-level disinfectant could
lead to quicker scope reprocessing. For example, OPA heated to
above 25°C slashes cycle times to 7 minutes, compared to 12-minute
1 0 8
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 | D E C E M B E R 2012
