Decontamination and Manual Cleaning Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Decontamination and Manual Cleaning flashcards as text
Which organization's guidelines are most commonly referenced for endoscope manual cleaning procedures in the United States?
Answer: SGNA (Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates) and AAMI
SGNA and AAMI provide the most widely adopted professional guidelines for endoscope reprocessing, including manual cleaning procedures, in the US.
What does 'bioburden' refer to in the context of endoscope decontamination?
Answer: The total number of viable microorganisms on the endoscope before reprocessing
Bioburden is the quantitative measure of viable microorganisms present on or in the endoscope that must be reduced through proper cleaning and disinfection.
What is the risk of inadequate rinsing after enzymatic cleaning of an endoscope?
Answer: Residual detergent can interfere with high-level disinfection and potentially cause patient harm
Enzymatic residue can neutralize disinfectants and cause mucosal injury in patients if it remains in the channels when the scope is next used.
Which factor most significantly reduces the effectiveness of enzymatic cleaners?
Answer: Failure to follow the manufacturer's recommended contact time and temperature
Enzymatic cleaners require specific contact time and temperature conditions to function optimally; deviating from these parameters significantly reduces soil removal efficacy.
What is the correct sequence of manual cleaning steps for a flexible endoscope?
Answer: Point-of-use pre-cleaning → leak test → enzymatic soak/brushing → thorough rinse
The correct sequence begins with point-of-use pre-cleaning, followed by leak testing, then enzymatic soaking and brushing, and finally thorough rinsing before high-level disinfection.
Why should cleaned endoscopes not be stored in their transport containers after reprocessing?
Answer: Closed containers trap moisture, promoting microbial growth on the reprocessed scope
Storing scopes in closed containers retains moisture, creating conditions favorable to microbial growth and potentially recontaminating a properly reprocessed scope.
What action should a reprocessing technician take if they discover a crack or break in an endoscope's insertion tube during manual cleaning?
Answer: Remove the scope from service, tag it, and notify the appropriate supervisor for repair evaluation
Physical damage to an endoscope creates areas that cannot be adequately cleaned or disinfected, making the scope unsafe for patient use until evaluated and repaired.