If you're currently not performing these tests, start by first testing all of
your lumened instruments after cleaning to get a baseline feel of your
process. If you're consistently getting clean checks, then you can turn to
societies such as the American Society for Quality (asq.org) for random
sampling tables that determine how often these chemical verification
checks should be performed, based on the number of instruments you
process and use.
If you're consistently seeing problems after performing cleaning
checks, it's time to analyze your process. Are you only performing
manual cleaning and flushing? Then it may be time to invest in new
automated technology. Is the instrument older and hard to clean?
Look for updated models or implement a stricter policy for that
device.
5. Disinfection and sterilization
What about the lumened instruments that can be steam-sterilized?
After passing cleaning verification, package them with their tray, wrap
or place them in rigid sterilization containers and place them into the
autoclave. Some instruments require low temperature sterilization, so
check with the manufacturer's IFU.
After testing, flexible endoscopes are ready for high-level disinfec-
tion or, in some cases, low-temperature sterilization (see "Is Low-
Temp the Way of the Future?" on page 64).
You can use an automated endoscope reprocessor (AER) to high-
level disinfect scopes, or you can do so manually. If you have a decent
volume of cases, consider an AER, which can really help standardize
and improve your scope reprocessing. These machines perform a vari-
ety of tasks, including flushing channels and testing for leaks, making
the process more efficient and effective. Still, it's important to note
1 2 0
O U T P A T 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 | J U N E 2 0 1 5
