The Importance of Having a Clean Scope

Are your scopes getting cleaned properly?

Roughly 300 patients have been sickened by life-threatening infections linked to contaminated medical endoscopes.

According to a memo released by U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu, more than 41 hospitals worldwide (mostly in the U.S.) reported bacterial infections linked to the scopes, affecting 300 to 350 patients between 2010 and 2015.

Endoscopy Support Services can help you make sure your equipment is correctly cleaned and disinfected!

We have brushes, leak testers, solutions, and gas sterilizers available to make cleaning and disinfecting easy and done the right way.

To learn more about our Anprolene Gas Sterilization for Vets, check out one of our previous Product Highlights!

You can also learn more about our Leak Testers and the Importance of Leak Testing Your Scope.

Want to know even more?

Visit our online store or contact us today!

Helpful Hints and Information: Part 2- Common handling errors

Common Handling Errors.

1- Delaying repairs. 

Worsens the scopes conditions. 

2- Not properly following disinfectant manufacturer's instructions and immersing scope in disinfectant too long or at improper concentrations. 

This can cause corrosion and premature wear. 

3- Immersion in fluid with the vent cap on. 

The vent is the "door" to your scope, and if left on, it allows fluid invasion. 

4- Delaying initial cleaning. 

This contributes to corrosion and premature wear. 

5- Reprocessing with other instruments.

6- Transporting and gas sterilizing without the vent cap attached. 

7- Storing in carrying case or communal storage. 

Doing this compromises sterility and proper ventilation.

The Scopes should be completely dry before storing and should be

 kept in a dry, well-ventilated environment. 

8- Not verifying compatibility of light source to scope. 

9- Manually articulating scope. 

You should only use the lever control. 

10- Third party repairs. 

11- Stretching/folding of sheathing or cover. 

Remember!

Proper maintenance and handling of your endoscopes will

 increase the life of the unit, lower repair or replacement costs,

 and reduce the possibility of cross-contamination. (to patients and other instruments.)

Helpful Hints and Information: Part 1-Helpful Hints and Most Common Damage.

Helpful Hints

1- Always wear gloves when handling/reprocessing scopes.

2- Leak test after every procedure. This is the single most important preventative measure in avoiding fluid invasion, which causes 8-% of all image problems and costly repairs.

You can refer here to our previous post about the importance of Leak Testing.

3- Rinse off solutions well. Solution build-up can cause external damage. 

Most Common Damage

1- Angle Section:

 Pinholes, cuts, tears.

2- Insertion Tube:

Pinches & stretching. 

3- Fluid Invasion:
Internal corrosion as well as breakdown
of epoxies and sealants.

If you find you have any damage to your 
equipment, don't hesitate to 
contact the ESS Service Department!