Decontamination and Manual Cleaning Questions and Answers Flashcards
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Which organization publishes the primary national guideline used in the US for endoscope reprocessing, including manual cleaning standards?
Answer: SGNA (Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates) and AORN jointly
SGNA and AORN publish widely adopted guidelines for endoscope reprocessing in the US, and adherence to these is considered the standard of care.
A detergent manufacturer's IFU specifies a dilution ratio of 1:100. If you are preparing 2 liters of solution, how much detergent concentrate is required?
Answer: 20 mL
1:100 means 1 part concentrate per 100 parts total solution; 2000 mL ÷ 100 = 20 mL of concentrate.
What is the primary risk associated with reprocessing an endoscope that was NOT pre-cleaned at the point of use before transport?
Answer: Dried bioburden becomes significantly harder to remove, increasing infection risk
Organic soil dries and bonds to surfaces within minutes of a procedure, creating a protective layer over microorganisms that resists subsequent cleaning and disinfection.
Which of the following correctly describes a critical-use endoscope classification under the Spaulding classification scheme?
Answer: Endoscopes that enter sterile tissue or the vascular system and require sterilization
Under Spaulding's classification, critical items contact sterile tissue or the bloodstream and must be sterilized; semi-critical items (most flexible endoscopes) contact mucous membranes and require minimum high-level disinfection.
What should a technician do when the endoscope manufacturer's IFU and the facility's reprocessing policy conflict regarding manual cleaning steps?
Answer: Always follow the manufacturer's IFU as it takes regulatory precedence
FDA requires that manufacturer IFUs be followed for medical device reprocessing; the facility policy must align with the IFU, and where there is conflict, the IFU governs.
What action should be taken with single-use cleaning brushes after completing manual cleaning of one endoscope?
Answer: Discard the brush immediately after single use
Single-use brushes must be discarded after each scope because reuse risks cross-contamination and the bristles become damaged and less effective after a single use.
During manual cleaning in the decontamination area, why should the endoscope be submerged below the waterline when flushing channels?
Answer: Submersion prevents aerosol and splatter generation that could contaminate the environment and staff
Cleaning channels while the scope is submerged prevents the generation of aerosols containing potentially infectious material, protecting reprocessing staff and the environment.