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O U T P AT 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 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4
order something "similar" that might be a few cents cheaper, but has a
longer soak time. Consistency of products and processes improves
outcomes.
Not visible to naked eye
The design of flexible scopes means that debris can "hide" — the rinse
before soaking may be entirely clear, yet the lumen may contain debris.
Products on the market can detect biological matter by identifying ATP
(adenosine triphosphate), which is a building block of DNA. Several
manufacturers offer ATP testing products designed specifically for long,
flexible scopes. You run a long wire with a swab on the end through the
channels. After you remove the wire, you add a reagent to the swab. A
relative light units reading above the cutoff indicates the presence of
ATP, meaning biologi-
cal contamination is
present. One of the
drawbacks of this
method is that it can't
distinguish between
live organisms and
dead ones. There may
be a small amount of
debris, but no live bac-
teria that might harm
a patient. But it cer-
tainly is a method that
you can use to moni-
tor scope cleaning and
worker performance.
Nothing scares me
E N D O S C O P Y
