6 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 • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7
Store the scope in a ventilated cabinet. Once the AER has fin-
ished its job, remove the scope, dry it with a clean, lint-free
cloth, and hang it in the cabinet so that any remaining moisture can
naturally flush out of the channels. Remove the protective cap from
the scope, as well. Also worth mentioning: Storage cabinets should be
cleaned daily, at least, so that clean, reprocessed scopes don't pick up
any microbes before going into another procedure.
Do your techs have all they need?
Taking a look at the process from a supply point of view, I've outlined
some ways to stay on top of your inventory and use it as effectively as
possible.
• Lint-free cloths, sponges and brushes. These items make fre-
quent appearances throughout the process, from beginning to end.
First, make sure that all of these items are manufacturer approved.
This point cannot be stressed enough. Secondly, these items need to
be cleaned and disinfected after each use in the process, and because
you need them often, make sure your supply is never wanting. At our
surgical center, we draw from multiple manufacturers to keep the
supply plentiful, and in the event that it's not, we barter with other
facilities as needed. Sterile processing and reprocessing should be a
high priority for your facility. You don't want a lapse in basic stock
items to cause the entire system to collapse.
• Bins and storage cabinets. Maintaining scopes is one thing.
Maintaining what holds them is another, and it shouldn't be over-
looked. I mentioned in the steps above that properly sized transport
bins must be used to carry scopes from the procedure room to the
SPD. These bins must be cleaned after each process, too, to reduce
the risk of additional microbes transferring from scope to scope, or
process to process. The ventilated storage cabinets, too, must be kept
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