It may sound simple, but proper maintenance of endoscope will save your company money in the long run, and is a good practice for ensuring patient safety. Proper disinfection and cleaning practices, as well as endoscope maintenance will ensure a longer life of your endoscope.

Proper disinfection and cleaning procedures are critical to both your endoscopes lifetime and most importantly patient safety. As outlined by the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, there are eight steps in flexible endoscope reprocessing that should be followed:

Endoscope Reprocessing Steps:

1) Pre-cleaning
Immediately after the endoscope procedure, the endoscope should be wiped with an approved enzymatic solution. Flush out the channels with a solution to lubricate and loosen any debris. Both the suction channel and the air and water channels should be flushed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

2) Leak Testing
Test for leaks in the endoscope by immersing the scope into water and following your manufacturer's instructions. This is a simple process but a critical step; a leaking endoscope means trouble.

3) Cleaning
Making sure to use the proper type and amount of enzymatic solution, fill the endoscope channels with the solution and soak for the prescribed time. While the scope is soaking, you can perform other cleaning processes like brushing out the channels, cleaning the valve-ports, cleaning all valves, attachments, and the exterior of the scope. After the soaking time has expired, be sure to once again flush out the channels and clean behind the elevator. Repeat process if necessary.

4) Rinse
Thoroughly rinse the endoscope the exterior of the endoscope using fresh clean water. Flush out all channels with the manufacturer supplied adapters. Repeat process, then purge channels with air to remove excess water.

5) Disinfection
Fill all channels with the proper disinfectant solution and then completely submerge the endoscope into the solution. Soak for prescribed time.

6) Rinse
Completely submerge the endoscope in fresh water, ensuring to again flush all channels on the endoscope. Repeat process if traces of disinfectant are still on the endoscope.

7) Drying and Alcohol Flush
Flush all endoscope channels with the prescribed amount of alcohol water mixture. (Usually about 70-80% alcohol). The alcohol will assist in the drying process. Wipe the exterior of the scope with a proper cloth, and dry all attachments.

8) Storage
Properly store the endoscope in a well ventilated container. Store all valves and attachments separate from the scope.

Endoscope Precision Parts carries a large inventory surgical instrument replacement parts for endoscope repair including coil pipes, bending section mesh, suction channels, endoscope switches, switch boots, and more. Please contact us and a Endoscope Precision professional will assist you with any of your repair or instrument replacement needs.