Health Professionals > Endoscope Reprocessing

5.1 Reprocessing

The three most important rules of any effective reprocessing are:

The most important step in endoscope reprocessing is scrupulous manual cleaning prior to disinfection.

Endoscopes that have not been scrupulously cleaned will not be adequately disinfected or sterilised - even with prolonged exposure times.

If an item cannot be cleaned, it cannot be disinfected or sterilised.

In order for manual cleaning to be effective it must:

be performed by a person conversant with the structure of the endoscope and trained in cleaning techniques
be undertaken immediately after the endoscope is used so that secretions do not dry and harden
follow a protocol which, using appropriate detergents and cleaning equipment allows all surfaces of the endoscope, internal and external, to be cleaned
be followed by thorough rinsing to ensure that all debris and detergents are removed prior to disinfection

Non-immersible endoscopes do not meet current reprocessing standards and thus should be removed from service.

OBJECTIVES

When you have completed this module you will be able to: