Know the basics of scope disinfection
[Editor's note: In the May issue of Same-Day Surgery, we ran the following story. However, some of the words were inadvertently left out. The story runs here in its entirety. We apologize for the error.
The self-study module, Endoscope Cleaning and High-level Disinfection, costs $63.90 for members of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates and $235.90 for nonmembers, including shipping and handling. The module provides 1.1 nursing contact hours. Contact the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, 401 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-4267. Telephone: (800) 245-7462. Fax: (312) 321-5194. World Wide Web: http://www.sgna.org. For more information on the module, see Same-Day Surgery, May 1998, p. 69.]
The self-study module of the Society for Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates in Chicago covers the following major points:
1. High-level disinfection is the standard recommended for reprocessing flexible GI endoscopes.
2. A written cleaning and disinfection protocol will help to ensure consistent and correct reprocessing of endoscopes.
3. Competency in reprocessing of gastrointestinal endoscopes must be documented before a staff member is assigned to reprocess endoscopes, and annually thereafter.
4. Staff compliance with the approved reprocessing protocol must be monitored by a designated person with expertise in reprocessing.
5. Staff orientation and continuing education must include safe handling of liquid chemical germicides.
6. Potency of chemical germicides must be monitored at least daily.
7. When using a 2% glutaraldehyde solution without surfactant, endoscopes should be thoroughly manually cleaned, then soaked for 20 minutes in the disinfecting solution.
8. Seventy percent isopropyl alcohol is used to flush all channels after disinfection and water rinsing as the last step in the reprocessing procedure.
9. Following completion of reprocessing, gastrointestinal endoscopes should be hung in a dust-free, well-ventilated cabinet.
10. Standards for reprocessing gastrointestinal endoscopes are the same in hospitals, clinics, offices, or ambulatory settings.
[Editor's Note: Would you like to have your group's conference listed in Same-Day Surgery? Please send the information to: Joy Daughtery Dickinson, Same-Day Surgery, P.O. Box 740056, Atlanta, GA 30374. Fax: (912) 377-9144. E-mail: [email protected].]
· Getting Started: A Beginner's Guide to Freestanding Ambulatory Care Accreditation - July 15, Chicago. Sponsored by Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council. Contact: Patrick Finnegan, Director-CAPES, MCHC, P.O. Box 95468, Chicago, IL 60694-5468. Telephone: (312) 906-6167. Fax: (312) 993-0779.
· Freestanding Ambulatory Care Accredita tion: Standards and Survey Process - July 16-17, Chicago. Sponsored by Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council. Contact: Patrick Finnegan, Director-CAPES, MCHC, P.O. Box 95468, Chicago, IL 60694-5468. Telephone: (312) 906-6167. Fax: (312) 993-0779.
· Performance Improvement in Ambulatory Care - July 30-31, Chicago. Sponsored by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Contact: Joint Commission, P. O. Box 92295, Chicago, IL 60675-2295. Telephone: (630) 792-5800. Fax: (630) 792-5423.
· Hospital-Sponsored Ambulatory Care Accreditation: Standards and Survey Process - Aug. 20-21, Norfolk, VA. Sponsored by Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and Virginia Hospital Research and Education Foundation. Contact: Carol Y. Brown, Director of Education, VMC, P.O. Box 31394, Norfolk, VA 23294. Telephone: (804) 965-1280. Fax: (804) 965-1353.
· Performance Improvement in Ambulatory Care - Sept. 3-4, San Francisco. Sponsored by Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Contact: Joint Commission, P.O. Box 92295, Chicago, IL 60675-2295. Telephone: (630) 792-5800. Fax: (630) 792-5423.
· Ambulatory Care Conference - Oct. 2-3, Chicago. Sponsored by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Contact: Joint Commission, P. O. Box 92295, Chicago, IL 60675-2295. Telephone: (630) 792-5800. Fax: (630) 792-5423.
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