Vol. XIII, No. 4Archive > April, 2012

Endoscope Reprocessing Done Right

It's time to review your high-level disinfection protocols to ensure they meet national guidelines.

Jim Collins, BS, RN, CNOR

Insertion tubes that house very narrow and delicate channels. Angulation control wheels, locking mechanisms and auxiliary water channels that are difficult to clean. Is it any wonder flexible endoscopes are a challenge to reprocess? Luckily, in June of last year the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America updated their endoscope reprocessing guidelines for the first time since 2003. Let's look at the takeaway lessons from 7 key topics covered in the document.

 
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