8 6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • A P R I L 2 0 1 6
T
here's no room for cut-
ting corners when you're
reprocessing flexible GI
endoscopes. Here's what
a day in the life of your endoscopes should look like.
Step 1: Pre-cleaning
Starting at the point of use, your first priority in the scope turnaround
process is to pre-clean the instrument as soon as possible after a case
has concluded. Tableside pre-cleaning gives your reprocessing team a
head start on this front. The scope's exterior surfaces should be rinsed
and sponged down. Its channels should be flushed with an enzymatic
detergent solution as an initial precaution against gross debris that
might remain inside. And the job should be done, and done consistent-
A Day in the Life
Of an Endoscope
• IT TAKES TIME Let your surgeons and OR staff know how long it takes to properly reprocess a scope.
Your scopes are flexible. Your reprocessing standards shouldn't be.
David Bernard
Senior Associate Editor
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
