Endoscopes are crucial medical equipment nowadays because they enable clinicians to see into the body and treat a variety of illnesses. However, if not thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, these devices also carry a danger of infection. Therefore, to guarantee patient safety and stop the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), disinfection is a crucial step in the endoscope reprocessing procedure.
Killing or inactivating microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, on surfaces and objects is the process of disinfection. It is a crucial step in the prevention and control of infections, especially in medical settings where patients may be more susceptible to diseases. Depending on the type of microbe and the surface being disinfected, many techniques, such as chemicals, heat, and radiation, can be used to achieve disinfection.
There are five crucial measures that healthcare practitioners must take while disinfecting endoscopes in order to make sure that the instrument is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. They are as follows:
1. Pre-cleaning: The endoscope needs to be carefully cleaned to get rid of any visible debris, such as blood, mucus, or other bodily fluids, before disinfection. This can be accomplished by wiping the connectors and valves, brushing the outside surfaces, and flushing the channels with enzymatic detergent solutions.
2. Leak testing: The endoscope should be leak tested after cleaning to make sure there are no cracks, holes, or other flaws that can prevent the disinfection procedure from being successful. In order to check for leaks, the endoscope is routinely submerged in water and pressurized. 3. High-level disinfection: After that, the endoscope should be thoroughly cleaned with a disinfectant solution, such as glutaraldehyde, ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA), peracetic acid, or hydrogen peroxide. The endoscope should be thoroughly submerged in the disinfection solution for the required contact time after mixing and using it in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 4. Rinse and dry: To remove any remaining disinfectant, properly rinse the endoscope with sterile water after disinfection. To stop the growth of microbes, it should subsequently be dried using a forced-air dryer or another appropriate technique. Finally, in order to prevent contamination, the endoscope should be transported in a designated container and stored in a clean, dry environment. In order to make sure that the endoscope is being thoroughly disinfected, it is also crucial to document the disinfection procedure and carry out routine quality control tests.
In order to stop the spread of HAIs and ensure patient safety, disinfection is a crucial step in the endoscope reprocessing procedure. Healthcare personnel may effectively disinfect endoscopes and lower the risk of infection by following the five crucial procedures of pre-cleaning, leak testing, high-level disinfection, rinse and dry, and storage and transport.