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E N D O S C O P Y
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Careless handling
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Lack of oversight
Accreditation surveyors are focusing on the proper transportation of scopes from procedure rooms to reprocessing areas.
Move scopes in closed, rigid containers or plastic drawstring bags to
ensure bioburden isn't leaked and devices remain protected from
harm along the way. Place scopes in a large, loose coil, with angulation knobs turned to the free-play position and varying stiffness settings on neutral, in order to prevent damage to internal controls. Each
container or bag should contain only 1 scope and its component parts.
A word of caution if you use plastic bags: Be sure bagged scopes are
placed in a secure area in the reprocessing area so they don't suffer
compression damage before techs remove them for leak testing.
Flexible scopes must be hung vertically in storage cabinets, but I've
seen facilities coil infrequently used scopes for storage in hard cases.
That's unacceptable. Don't reattach components removed for reprocessing — function buttons, suction valves, biopsy port covers —
before storage. Instead, allow air to circulate through scopes' channels.
Visual inspection is part of every reprocessing step, from point
of use to hanging for storage. Check for obvious defects to the
scope (kinks, bends or holes in the insertion tube) and work the
angulation controls to ensure the scope retroflexes correctly.
Scope reprocessing is a tedious process that requires conscientious attention to detail during each and every step. There's no
official validation system in place to ensure it's performed properly, so
you must be engaged in your facility's efforts. For example, check
minimal effective concentration logs daily to ensure liquid high-level
disinfectants are being used to automatic endoscope reprocessors'
specifications. Ensure techs wear proper personal protection equip-
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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 2013
