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A U G U S T 2 0 1 4 | O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
pital systems
where techs
might handle
numerous high-
end, complex
scopes with
unique repro-
cessing require-
ments.
It's extremely
important to
train techs on every possible scope they might encounter. They must
be able to identify the slight differences in various models — the num-
ber of ports or channel functions, for example — that demand special-
ized care.
Educate new employees on proper scope reprocessing and test com-
petencies at least annually — ideally more often than that — or any
time a new scope is added to the inventory. Company reps are typical-
ly available to run training sessions on the scopes they supply,
although they shouldn't be the sole source of education. Most major
manufacturers provide large posters outlining the required reprocess-
ing steps for their instruments. Hang the posters in the reprocessing
area where they'll serve as valuable visual aids and handy references
for your techs.
2. Manual cleaning done right
As an accreditation surveyor, I've completed the AORN infection con-
trol education program. One essential I learned is that proper scope
care is a two-step process: Blood and biofilm must be manually
removed from scopes before they can be properly reprocessed.
E N D O S C O P E R E P R O C E S S I N G
CLEAN PLACE Scopes must be stored
away from any risk of contamination.
Frank
Chapman,
MBA