1231 CE Online (1)

REPAIRS An endoscope cannot be used if defects are detected. An endoscope should be cleaned and disinfected according to the instructions of the manufacturer and prior to shipping to a repair center. Follow your facility’s policies concerning shipment of used equipment for repair and label the shipping container in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens requirements: CFR 29 part 1910:1030, Federal Register (December, 1991). QUALITY REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENTS OF THE PROCESS No process design is foolproof. Technology, instruments, and methods are rapidly changing and require the facility staff to review the current procedures and practices to ensure that they are being executed as written. These steps should be reviewed periodically to ensure that the current procedure is being followed, that near misses are reviewed, and that all steps are reviewed for continuous improvement. An improvement plan can be created by the work team for immediate action and revised procedures. SUMMARY Flexible and rigid endoscopes have expanded surgical interventions exponentially, allowing more surgeries to be completed using minimally-invasive techniques. Improvements in design will continue to enhance both the surgical performance as well as the ease of reprocessing for all those tasked with the care and handling of rigid and flexible endoscopes.

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