7 Tips to Expect and Maintain Your Endoscopes

09 Jun.,2022

Taking the time to properly care for your endoscopes after each use is critical to their longevity. Neglecting your endoscopes can lead to costly repairs - something that can easily be avoided if you take care of them properly. If you follow these 7 simple steps, you can expect your endoscopes to stay in good condition.

 

Taking the time to properly care for your Gabion netafter each use is critical to their longevity. Neglecting your endoscopes can lead to costly repairs - something that can easily be avoided if you take care of them properly. If you do take care of your endoscopes, your procedures will run more efficiently, saving your department and your patients time and money.
If you follow these 7 simple steps, you can expect your endoscopes to stay in good condition.

 

Pre-clean your oscilloscope

Reprocessing starts in the operating room. Pre-cleaning helps prevent the formation of any biofilm, so it is critical to begin the cleaning process immediately after removing the insertion tube from the patient. To perform pre-cleaning, wipe the insertion tube, clean the air/water channels and soak it in a detergent solution.

 

7 Tips to Expect and Maintain Your Endoscopes

 

Perform a leak test

The leak test allows you to detect any damage to the outer surface of the oscilloscope as well as the internal channels. If you do not perform a leak test and the endoscope does have internal damage, it could result in inadequate disinfection and even further damage to the endoscope. It is important to perform a leak test after pre-cleaning the oscilloscope.

 

Manual brushing and rinsing

Manual cleaning of the oscilloscope is a critical step in the disinfection process. When performing this step, the oscilloscope must be fully immersed in the cleaning agent. In this step, it is time to place the previously separated components into a container to scrub them.

 

7 Tips to Expect and Maintain Your Endoscopes

 

Rinsing and Drying

Thoroughly rinse the cleaner from the endoscope with water. Next, wipe the endoscope with a lint-free cloth and then push forced air through all channels to dry the inside of the endoscope. The oscilloscope must be completely dry before proceeding to a high level of disinfection.

 

Disinfection

Follow the reprocessing instructions for proper sterilization or high level disinfection (HLD), according to the manufacturer. After immersion in the solution, inject the solution through the channel and immerse the oscilloscope for the recommended length of time. After immersion, use forced air to remove any residual disinfectant. Rinse with water and then dry with a lint-free cloth.

7 Tips to Expect and Maintain Your Endoscopes

Rinsing with alcohol

Rinsing the endoscope with alcohol promotes channel drying to prevent any bacterial growth. Using 70% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, aspirate through the channel using a suction device. Then use forced air to blow dry the remaining alcohol. Finally, wipe the exterior of the oscilloscope with a lint-free cloth soaked in alcohol and then dry the port with a cotton swab.

 

Storage

When storing the oscilloscope, hang it in an unfolded vertical position to promote drying and prevent recontamination. Make sure there is enough space between devices to avoid damage due to contact.

 

7 Tips to Expect and Maintain Your Endoscopes

 

To learn more about endoscope guidelines in detail Please contact LOOKMED.