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R E P R O C E S S I N G
the brush still comes out dirty, 3 times clearly isn't going to be
enough, and you'd better keep brushing.
Likewise, manual cleaning must be a consistent process and not a
convenient one. Just because a physician didn't use the biopsy or suction channels during a particular case doesn't mean you shouldn't
flush and brush each every time.
The proper use of supplies also applies to those intended to protect your
staff. A full complement of personal protective equipment, including a face
mask; goggles or an eye shield; a bouffant head covering; a long-sleeved,
water-resistant gown; heavy, non-latex gloves; and shoe covers must be
worn at all times that used scopes are handled in the decontamination
room.
3. Understand your AERs
Automated endoscope reprocessors can save your staff a lot of time.
Depending on the product, they may offer channel flushing, leak testing and high-level disinfection at the push of a button. If there's a flaw
in the scope or the process, the machine will let you know. Some
AERs even let you enter a scope's serial number and a patient's name
for safety tracking.
Remember, though, that labor-saving devices are not necessarily
labor-eliminating devices. While the marketing for some of the earliest
AERs suggested that they'd let reprocessing techs skip the elbow
grease of manual brushing, the FDA has cleared only 2 devices,
Advanced Sterilization Products' Evotech and Medivators, with that
ability. And none of them let your staff forgo bedside pre-cleaning.
If you use automated reprocessing technology on your scopes,
know its abilities and make sure the instructions are followed. The
AER that both cleans and disinfects puts a time limit on how long a
scope can sit before a cycle without manual cleaning. Tagging scopes
