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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
takes human error out of the equation, eliminating the risk of trace
amounts of fluid remaining in a scope, which can cause damage
resulting in one of endoscopy's costliest repair bills.
• Cleaning. Pre-wash cycles ensure that any debris left over from
the scope's pre-cleaning has been removed before the rinse cycle and
high-level disinfecting. Two units presently on the market claim to
eliminate the need for manual cleaning before the reprocessing cycle.
Unfortunately, a multisociety endoscope reprocessing position paper
and guidelines issued by the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and
Associates don't endorse the brushless claims. This presents an excellent opportunity for gastroenterology and endoscopy societies to collaborate with vendors on validating the assertions.
• Drying. Newer units incorporate an alcohol flush at the end of the
reprocessing cycle to promote drying and keep the scope's channels
clear of residual water that could cause harmful bacteria to grow while
the instruments are stored between uses.
• Capacity. The number of endoscopes a unit can house is vitally
important because you want to get the most bang for your reprocessing
buck. Some newer machines can reprocess 2 scopes at a time in a single basin (depending on the size of the endoscopes), while other units
can reprocess 2 scopes independently in separate basins. Be sure the
capacity of the unit you choose meshes with your scope inventory and
caseload.
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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 | D E C E M B E R 2012
