How to Clean Endoscopes
An endoscope is a tool that is used to look inside the body, such as into an area of the digestive tract. For obvious reasons, keeping an endoscope clean between patients is essential. Because there are so many internal parts of the endoscope that need to be cleaned well, it is important to follow the directions specified in your owner's manual. This article includes steps that are used for cleaning many types of endoscopes.
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Things You'll Need
- Endoscope and related cleaning equipment (injection tube, channel plug, brush, etc.) Detergent (specific for medical equipment) Water Tank Cloth (for drying)
Instructions
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Soak a cloth in detergent and use it to wipe the outside of the insertion tube immediately after use.
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Press the suction valve to suck detergent into the insertion tube, and then again to suck air into the insertion tube.
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Press the air/water valve to flush first water and then air through the insertion tube.
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Remove all detachable parts from the endoscope, as well as the biopsy valve. Discard the valve. (Replace before reusing the endoscope.)
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Prepare a solution of detergent and water, using the directions on the detergent.
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Submerge the endoscope in the solution, and rub down the external parts well.
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Use the small cleaning brush to clean out the inside of the insertion tube. Then use it to clean out the inside of the universal cord, the suction cylinder and the instrument channel port.
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Press the suction valve to suck the solution into the insertion tube.
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Attach both the injection tube and the channel plug to the endoscope, and inject the detergent solution through all channels.
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Soak the endoscope in the detergent solution for the amount of time specified on the detergent.
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Remove the endoscope from the solution, rinse the outside of it and inject water through all three channels. Flush air through all three channels as well.
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Dry the endoscope with a clean, dry cloth.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure to test for endoscope leakage periodically.
Make sure to wear protective equipment, such as rubber gloves, while handling all medical equipment, including endoscopes. Disinfect endoscopes after cleaning as necessary.
