1231 CE Online (1)

for any length of time, it is subject to possible damage and the debris from the procedure may dry and cake onto the inside of the channels. Some facilities may recommend leaving the endoscope to soak in an enzymatic detergent solution until it can be transferred back to CSSD for reprocessing. Before implementing this step, ensure that the manufacturer has approved prolonged soaking in any solution. The best process is to pre-clean the endoscope in the procedure area, and if transport is delayed, place the endoscope in a transfer bag to keep it moist. The transfer bag should be secured in a basket or tray, separated from other articles for transport. Arrange for transfer as soon as possible to avoid any possible damage and debris drying onto the fiberscope’s surface or channels. Leakage Testing Leakage testing is the very first step that must be done before proceeding with any cleaning steps (see Figure 11). The leakage test will demonstrate if there is a hole in the covering or inner lining of the flexible endoscope. This test needs to be performed after each use AND before the flexible endoscope is cleaned or submersed. If there is a leak in the flexible covering, fluids can seep into the channels that house the viewing optics, the light fiber optics, and the cables that control the distal tip. If that happens, the endoscope can be further damaged and may require more costly repairs. Each flexible endoscope manufacturer recommends using the manual leakage tester designed for its particular flexible fiberscope. Ensure that you are using the correct equipment and process steps recommended by the manufacturer; there is no universal equipment to leak-test a flexible endoscope! Figure 11 – Performing a Manual Leakage Test

Steps to perform a manual leakage test are as follows. 1. Ensure that the hose of the leakage tester is attached to the leakage tester and that the hose’s locking collar is in good working order. The leakage tester may be a machine or a manually operated device that looks similar to the bulb and gauge of a blood pressure machine. 2. Connect the leakage tester by tightening the locking collar onto the endoscope’s connector for leakage test and pressure equalization. This connector is usually located on the side of the control body opposite the control levers.

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