endoscopy reprocessing

[cmacisaac]

We are presently reprocessing with the steris system 1 all of our scopes. This is a sterilant claim. There are discussions re going back to high level disinfection using an AER from Scican. Can you tell me if anyone else is seeing the standards regress to this being acceptable? I always thought with the new problems associated with liabilities and safety that we were trying to insure 'sterilized after use' rather than high level disinfection. This would include colonoscope, gastroscope, hysteroscopes.
Cindy

[ladyj]

Flexible scopes, colonoscopes, gastroscopes used on "'clean" cases are being done in the steris. they are done and taken directly to room. the steris unit used is in the OR suites.
the Hysterscopes ( rigid) are processed in Central Sterile in the Sterrad.

[Guest]

As far as I know. GI endoscopes are still considered semi-critical instruments according to Spaulding's classifications. Subjecting the scopes to high-level disinfection would not represent any "regression" in standards as semi-critical instruments may be high-level disinfected. To sterilize them prior to patient use is a step beyond the required standard.

I believe regarding safety, there are factors that are more critical than high-level disinfection vs. steriliztion of these scopes. Uniformly followed reprocessing protocols, effective quality assurance practices, proper training and annual assessment of staff in cleaning/processing etc are probably of greater significance, IMO, to patient safety when it comes to endoscopes.

[Guest]

Does anyone use the sterrad to sterilize the bulb and net to the sigmoidscope? If not, what can be used besides cleaning it?

[Guest]

We have used our Sterrad to process the sig. bulb and net for several years. We have not had any problems, and as long you give the net ample dry time the machine runs fine.