• Failing to check the minimum effective concentration (MEC) with
every high-level disinfectant (HLD) use. Instead of checking every
cycle, some techs will check the HLD's MEC once a day, or once in
the morning and once in the afternoon. But if it fails, when did it fail?
You don't know.
• Miscalculating HLD expiration dates, and not documenting them
on the AER.
• Not cleaning at the bedside: wiping the scope down and flushing
water through it.
• Not properly diluting enzymatic detergent or using full strength on
a sponge.
• Not disassembling and properly flushing reusable water bottles
during high-level disinfection and rinsing.
• Placing scopes on the counter after reprocessing instead of hanging
them to dry so any remaining moisture in the channels can drip out.
• Leaving the door to the scope room open all day and a cluttered
work area.
Yes, that's a lot to monitor — and it's by no means a complete list.
Consider appointing a supervising tech to be your eyes and ears.
3. Ask questions
Want to be certain your techs are on top of their game? Ask questions.
Lots of questions. What temperature should the water be for this enzy-
matic detergent? How long does the scope need to soak in this enzy-
matic detergent? What do you do when a leak is detected? How often
J U N E 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 8 5
ents of 105 patients (toddlers to teenagers) that colonoscopy
equipment had been improperly cleaned. New staff members
were not trained in the correct cleaning procedure for 2 scopes
with auxiliary channels.
— Laura Schneider, RN, CGRN, CASC, CFER
