| Overcoming Challenges |
They say if you're never challenged, then you will never reach your full potential. If you have the responsibility of cleaning endoscopes, you have nothing to worry about because you're challenged everyday.
Cross contamination remains one of the most serious health technology related hazards. If your department handles cleaning of endoscopes, you should be aware of your current process for proper cleaning and may want to review your current practices.
According to the SGNA, "Proper reprocessing of endoscopes and accessories is critical to the safe and successful treatment of patients" (ASGE, 2001). SGNA and ASGE support increased research in the areas of endoscope design and encourage manufacturers to develop flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes that can be easily disassembled for reprocessing and verification of cleaning and high level disinfection.
Here are some quick tips when considering your process for endoscope cleaning:
1. Pre-cleaning (bedside cleaning), including thorough rinsing, is essential to endoscope reprocessing. This step will remove gross levels of bio-burden left after patient-use. Manufacturer instructions often recommend the use of lint-free wipes or sponges for manual cleaning. Using the wipes or sponge immediately after patient-use, and prior to automated or manual disinfection, will help to dramatically reduce the level of gross contamination.
2. If pre-cleaning isn't started right away, endoscopes should be soaked according to manufacturer's recommendation in an appropriate enzymatic detergent or placed in a HumipakTM that maintains a humid environment to prevent the drying of organic soils.
3. Use a parts bag for the endoscope valves and other detachable equipment that are to be removed. This will help to keep these parts with the endoscope and reduce potential confusion and/or loss.
4. Use disinfection labels. Keep track of the last time each endoscope was reprocessed and keep your department organized throughout the decontamination process.
Because endoscopes are very difficult to clean, be sure to select the verification products that allow you to test for organic soil, such as blood, carbohydrate and proteins, which could be left behind if improperly cleaned.
Matt Smith
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| Tip of the Week |
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To read the complete Multisociety guideline on reprocessing flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes (2011) Click Here
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