AERs, says Mr. Lavanchy.
In general, a more auto-
mated machine is going to
provide you with a more
consistent result than one
that has more manual
interventions. It's better, he
says, to use a machine with
an automatic timer than
one in which you have to
manually start and stop the
processing cycle. "In that
way, you're ensuring a con-
sistent process from one
scope to the next," he says.
By the way, Mr. Lavanchy
says you can cancel his case if you rely solely on manual disinfecting.
"There is just too much uncertainty in a completely manual process
for me to be comfortable," he says.
• Fresh germicide with each cycle? Are you using fresh germicide
each time you use your AER? Some AERs let you reuse the liquid
chemical germicide multiple times. "You're supposed to test it each
time you reuse it for proper concentrations, but I'd rather not rely on
a manual process with the agents designed to kill microorganisms,
particularly pathogenic organisms," says Mr. Lavanchy. "I'd rather
you use fresh germicide each time you use the machine." You also
want to select a disinfecting agent that is labeled for the appropriate
germicidal level and is compatible with the reusable device you're
disinfecting, he says.
• Are your reprocessors
M A R C H 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 7
• DINGS AND DENTS Damaged scopes are difficult to thoroughly
clean. Notice the scratched, scaly lens and dents, and brown debris
around the channel outlets.
Ofstead
&
Associates
