"A lot of facilities think it helps to dry the scope, and unfortunately we
just don't see evidence that it works," says Dr. Ofstead. "Relying on verti-
cal hanging and alcohol is not supported [by clinical research]."
Drying tech-
nologies
So how can you
ensure an endo-
scope's channels are
free of fluid before
you store them?
Experts suggest wip-
ing down the scope's
exterior with a lint-
free cloth and using
one or both of these
drying technologies to
remove moisture
from its channels:
• Forced-air dry-
ing. Compact units
mounted on walls or
hung on IV poles are
connected to the vari-
ous ports on endo-
scopes to push fil-
tered air through the
interior channels and
dry them out. You can
use these systems
J U L Y 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 9 9
instrument channel dryer
