Endoscopy Reprocessing THETA Education Day

Endoscope Reprocessing
Device Classification

Manual Cleaning
Personal Protective Equipment Biofilms within GI Endoscopy Reprocessing Room Standards Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

Leakage Testing
Endoscope Handling

Endoscope Reprocessing
Review of Terms
Biofilm refers to a complex community of microorganisms that form a matrix of extracellular material composed of exopolysaccharides (EPS) Minimum Effective concentration (MEC) refers to the lowest concentration of active ingredient necessary to meet the label claim of a reusable high-level disinfectant / sterilant chemical test strips should be used to determine whether and effective concentration of the active ingredient is present despite repeated use

Reuse-life refers to a statement by the manufacturer indicating the maximum number of days of a reusable high-level disinfectant / sterilant might be effective

Endoscope Reprocessing

Endoscope Reprocessing
Two classifications of Endoscopes
Critical Endoscope: Endoscopes used in the examination of critical spaces such as joints and sterile cavities. Many of these endoscopes are rigid with no lumen. Examples of critical endoscopes are arthroscopes and laproscopes

Semicritical Endoscope Fiberoptic or video endoscopes used in the examination of the hollow viscera. These endoscopes generally invade only semicritical spaces, although some of their components might enter tissue or other critical spaces ie. Forceps. Examples of semi-critical endoscopes are colonoscopes, gastroscopes, duodenoscopes, sigmoidoscopes, laryngoscopes, nasopharangeal endoscopes and enteroscopes.
Opininons differ regarding the reprocessing requirements of bronchoscopes; a minimum of high level disinfection is required

Medical Device Classification

Spaulding Classification
Determines the degree of disinfection or sterilization required for various medical devices. Critical: A device that enters normally sterile tissue, including the vascular system. These devices should be sterilized

1)Semicritical: A device that comes into contact with intact mucous membranes and does not ordinarily penetrate sterile tissue. These devices are cleaned followed by High Level Disinfection
2)Noncritical: Devices that do not ordinarily touch the patient or touch only intact skin. These devices may be cleaned by low-level disinfection

Manual Cleaning
Manual Cleaning
Thorough and meticulous manual cleaning of all instruments must precede exposure to any high-level disinfectant or sterilant. This process significantly reduces the organic and microbial challenge to the high-level disinfectant or sterilant. An item that has not been cleaned cannot be assuredly disinfected or sterilized.

Refer to endoscope manufacturers guidelines for design features unique to a particular instrument

Personal Protective Equipment

Should be used when reprocessing endoscopes. Gowns, gloves and protective eyewear are recommended when handling any high-level disinfectant / sterilant

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment
Gowns impervious to fluid, long sleeves that fit snugly around the wrist, and wrap to cover as much of the body as possible. Dispose of or launder gowns if they become wet or are exposed to contaminated material Gloves inspect for tears or holes before use. Gloves should be long enough to extend up the arm to protect the forearm or clothing from splashes or seepage. To prevent crosscontamination, change gloves and wash hands whenever moving from a dirty to clean task or environment

Eye and / or face protection are necessary contact lenses are not sufficient eye protection. A face shield is recommended. Do not use high filtration masks since they may actually trap vapours.

Biofilms
Biofilms within GI Endoscopy
A biofilm is a structured community of microorganisms encapsulated within a self-developed polymeric matrix and adherent to a living or inert surface. If the colonists are not immediately separated from the surface, they can anchor themselves more permanently using cell adhesion
Biofilms within endoscopy may form within endoscopes if proper manual pre-cleaning and CSGNA guidelines are not followed for endoscope reprocessing

Staphylococcus aureus
Exopolysaccharide (EPS)

Staphylococcus aureus biofilm

Reprocessing Room Standards

The process and products used for cleaning, disinfection and or/sterilization of endoscopes must be compatible with the equipment being used Each health care setting in which endoscopic procedures are performed should have written detailed procedures for the cleaning and handling of endoscopes Reprocessing of contaminated patient equipment should be done in an area designated and dedicated for this function This room should be separate from where endoscopic procedures are performed Ventilation must be capable of removing toxic vapours generated by, or emitted from, cleaning or disinfectant agents the vapour concentration of the chemical disinfectant being used should not exceed allowable limits (eg. 0.05 ppm for glutaraldehyde) Minimum of 10-12 air exchanges per hour in the reprocessing area

Reprocessing Room Standards

Tap water and / or water that has been filtered by passage through a 0.2micron filter or water of equivalent quality should be available in the reprocessing area Manual cleaning should include a medical grade, low-foaming, neutral pH enzymatic formulated for endoscopes that contain enzymes to digest all components of bioburden; including, blood, fat, carbohydrate, uric acid, starch Accessories Accessories which are classified as critical devices (e.g. biopsy foceps) require sterilization. Critical items labeled for single-use should not be reprocessed and / or reused.

Transportation and Handling of Contaminated Endoscopes

Covered containers with easily cleanable surfaces should be used for handling and transporting soiled endoscopes Soild endoscopes should be transported by direct routes where cleaning will be performed Containers used to transport soiled endoscopes should be cleaned after each use

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

Basic steps to clean and perform high-level disinfection of gastrointestinal endoscopes
1) Pre-cleaning 2) Leakage testing 3) Cleaning 4) Rinsing 5) Disinfection 6) Rinsing 7) Drying 8) Storage

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

A. Pre-cleaning
1) Immediately after removal of the insertion tube from the patient and prior to disconnecting the endoscope from the power source Prepare for bedside cleaning:
PPE Container with enzymatic Sponge or lint-free cloth Air and water channel cleaning adapters per manufacturers instruction Protective video cap

2) Wipe the insertion tube with the wet cloth or sponge soaked in the freshly prepared enzymatic solution. Note that the cloth / sponge should be disposed of between cases

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

A. Pre-cleaning
3) Place the distal end of the endoscope into the enzymatic solution.
Suction the solution through the biopsy / suction channel, alternate suctioning enzymatic solution and air several times until the solution is visibly clean Finish by suctioning air

Note: Alternate suctioning of fluid and air is more effective than

suctioning fluid alone in the removal of debris from lumens immediate flushing of the biopsy/suction and air/water channels precludes drying of debris on lumen surfaces

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

A. Pre-cleaning
4) Flush or blow out air and water channels in accordance with the endoscope manufacturers instructions 5) Flush the auxiliary water channel 6) Detach the endoscope from the light source and suction pump 7) Attach protective video cap if using a video endoscope 8) Transport the Endoscope to the reprocessing area in an enclosed container Note: Containers, sinks, and basins should be large enough that

the endoscope will not be damaged by being coiled too tightly

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

B. Cleaning the Endoscope in the Reprocessing Area Prepare the following:
PPE Leakage testing equipment Channel cleaning adapters Large basin of endoscope detergent solution Channel cleaning brushes Sponge or lint-free cloth

C. Leak Testing
Leak Testing detects damage to the interior or exterior of the endoscope The leak test is done before immersion of the endoscope in reprocessing solutions to minimize damage to parts of the endoscope not designed for fluid exposure.

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

C. Leak Testing
1. Manual Leak Testing Remove suction valves, air water valves, and biopsy valves Attached the leak tester and pressurize the scope before submerging it in water With the pressurized insertion tube completely submerged, flex the distal portion of the scope in all directions, observing for bubbles Submerge the entire endoscope and, observing the control head of the scope, depress the freeze and release buttons. Check the insertion tube and distal bending section as well as the universal cord for bubbles coming from the interior of the scope

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

C. Leak Testing
1. Computerized leak testing Remove suction valves, air water valves, and biopsy valves Attach the leak tester to the computer unit Input data including scope ID and user Move knobs and depress the freeze and release buttons when indicated Reprocess when test is complete

Follow the endoscope manufacturers instructions if a leak or high humidity is detected or if the endoscope appears damaged

Endoscope Reprocessing Overview

Existing Manual Leak Test Methods
Two Methods: Wet Test & Dry Test
Both methods should take ~3 minutes of uninterrupted technician time if done properly

Human Error Factors:

Takes skill, commitment and dedication Rushing

Leak detection problems

Lack of consistency and/or training

Manual Equipment Error Factors:

No automated detection

100% reliance on visual leak observation

Lack of procedure control No record keeping

Fluid Invasion
Pathogen in patient #1 enters scope via leak

e.g. Pseudomonas, Salmonella, HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Staph, E. coli, C. diff

Leak harbors pathogen from disinfection

*APIC Guideline for infection prevention and control in flexible endoscopy Volume 28, number 2, p.145

Pathogen dislodged in subsequent procedures into other patients

Cross-patient infection breakout

Endoscope Reprocessing Overview

Endoscope Reprocessing Study Results
1% of endoscopy procedures result in the endoscope developing a leak 65% of leaks are currently detected (35% undetected) and

undetected leaks lead to fluid invasion

60% of endoscope repair costs are fluid invasion-related .2% of endoscopy procedures result in fluid invasion without a leak present (usually due to poor handling such as cleaning cap left off or poorly sealed) 10-15% of patient-ready endoscopes possess a leak

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

D. Cleaning Solutions
Composition of soil found on endoscopes includes, proteins, fats, carbohydrates and the various chemical salts that exist in blood and other body fluids. Ideally, a cleaning solution should have a broad spectrum of effectiveness against these various contaminants and not harm the device being cleaned Enzymatic cleaning solutions use surfactants to breakdown and digest bioburden. They are specifically selected to have a negligible effect on surface tension while still suspending soil particles. This feature provides easy rinsibility.

i)

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

E. Cleaning
Manual cleaning of endoscopes is necessary immediately after removing the endoscope from the patient and prior to automated or manual disinfection
Performed as the first and most important step in removing the microbial burden from an endoscope Retained debris may inactivate or interfere with the capability of the active ingredient of the chemical solution to effectively kill and /or inactivate microorganisms

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

E. Cleaning
1. Fill a sink with freshly prepared solution of water and a medical grade, low-foaming, neutral pH detergent formulated for endoscopes Enzymatic detergent must be discarded after each use. 2. Dilute and use according to the detergent manufacturers instructions. 3. Immerse the endoscope 4. Wash all the debris from the exterior of the endoscope by brushing and wiping the instrument while submerged in the detergent solution. Note that the instrument should be left under water during the cleaning process to prevent splashing of contaminated fluid and aerosolization of bioburden

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

E. Cleaning
5. Use a small, soft brush to clean all removable parts, including inside
and under the suction valve, air/water valve, and biopsy port cover and openings.
Brush all accessible endoscope channels including the body, insertion tube and the umbilicus of the endoscope brushes used for cleaning lumens should be of an appropriate size, inspected before and after use and discarded or cleaned, high-level disinfected and dried following use After each passage, rinse the brush in enzymatic solution, removing any visible debris before retracting and reinserting it Continue brushing until there is no debris visible on the brush

6.

7. 8.

9.

Cleanining items should be disposable or thoroughly cleaned and minimum of high-level disinfected between cases.

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

E. Cleaning
10. Attach the endoscope cleaning adapters for suction, biopsy, air, and water channels Note: Automated pumps are available for this step that eliminate

the manual flush

11. Attach the manufacturers cleaning adapters for special endoscope channels (dual channel, elevator channel, auxilliary channel) i. ii. To achieve adequate flow through all lumens, various adapters or channel restrictors may be required The elevator channel of a duodenoscope is a small lumen, this channel requires manual reprocessing using a 2-5mm syringe

12. Flush all channels with the detergent solution to remove debris 13. Soak the endoscope and its internal channels for the period of time specified by the label

14. If immediate reprocessing is not possible the endoscope should

be leak-tested, flushed, brushed, and allowed to soak in a enzymatic solution until it can be thoroughly reprocessed

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

F. Rinse After Cleaning
Thoroughly rinse the endoscope and all removable parts with clean water to remove

Purge water from all channels using forced air. Dry the exterior of the endoscope with a soft, lint-free cloth to prevent dilution of the liquid chemical germicide used in subsequent steps

G. High Level Disinfection

Recognized as the standard of reprocessing for endoscopes by:
CSGNA / SGNA CPSO College of Surgeons of Ontario ASGE American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ACG - American College of Gastroenterology AGA - American Gastroenterological Association APIC - Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Automated Endoscope Reprocessing

Ensure that the endoscope and endoscope components are compatible with the automated endoscope reprocessor (AER) Follow the OEM instructions for use in the AER AER provide a method by which a permanent record of endoscope use and reprocessing can be monitored and validated Some AER have a system capable of tracking endoscopes and patients. For each procedure the patients name and record number, the date and time of procedure, type of procedure, the endoscopist and the serial number of the endoscope are recorded and stored to assist in outbreak investigation.

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

F. DRYING
Purge all channels with air until dry Flush all channels, including accessory channels, with alcohol until the alcohol until the alcohol can be seen exiting the opposite end of each channel
i. ii. 70% isopropyl alcohol is used to assist in drying the interior channel surfaces Use alcohol that has been properly stored in a closed container between uses alcohol, when exposed to air, rapidly evaporates, and if below the recommended percentage level, cannot be relied upon to assist in the drying process

iii.

Alcohol flushes should be used even when sterile water is used for rinsing

Purge all channels with air. Alcohol mixes with the remaining water on the channel surfaces and acts to encourage evaporation of the residual water as air flows through the channel

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

F. DRYING
Purge all channels with air. Alcohol mixes with the remaining water on the channel surfaces and acts to encourage evaporation of the residual water as air flows through the channel Remove all channel adapters Dry the exterior of the endoscope with a soft, clean lint-free towel Thoroughly rinse and dry all removable parts. Do not attach removable parts to the endoscope during storage as this lowers the risk of trapping liquid inside the instrument

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

F. DRYING
Drying the endoscope after every reprocessing cycle, both between patient procedures and before storage is a requisite practice crucial to the prevention of bacterial transmission Drying is as important to the prevention of disease transmission as cleaning and high level disinfection

G. STORAGE

Hang the endoscope vertically, with the distal tip hanging freely in a clean, well-ventilated dust-free area
A storage area with good ventilation will encourage continued air drying of the surfaces, and prevent undue moisture build-up, thus discouraging any microbial contamination Caps, valves and other detachable components should be removed during storage and reassembled before use Colonoscopes have a minimum shelf life of 7 days, if stored dry

Endoscope Reprocessing Protocols

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