- Certified Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing Questions and Answers Flashcards

What is an automated endoscope reprocessor (AER) and what advantage does it offer?

Answer: An automated machine that performs cleaning, high-level disinfection, rinsing, and alcohol flush in a controlled, reproducible cycle

An AER automates the reprocessing cycle, providing consistent chemical concentrations, temperatures, contact times, and channel perfusion. This reduces human variability and ensures each reprocessing cycle meets defined parameters.

What is biofilm and why is it particularly concerning in flexible endoscope reprocessing?

Answer: A structured community of microorganisms encased in a self-produced matrix that is highly resistant to disinfection

Biofilm forms when microorganisms adhere to surfaces and produce a protective extracellular matrix. In the narrow, moist channels of endoscopes, biofilm is extremely difficult to remove and can resist high-level disinfectants, posing a serious infection risk.

What documentation is required after each flexible endoscope reprocessing cycle?

Answer: Patient name, endoscope serial number, reprocessing date/time, staff initials, AER cycle parameters, and chemical test results

Comprehensive documentation enables traceability between patient, procedure, and reprocessing cycle. This is essential for quality assurance, outbreak investigation, and regulatory compliance in Canadian healthcare facilities.

Why must the minimum effective concentration (MEC) of high-level disinfectant be tested before each use?

Answer: To ensure the disinfectant is still potent enough to achieve high-level disinfection

High-level disinfectant solutions lose potency over time and with repeated use due to dilution and organic loading. MEC testing with chemical test strips confirms the solution still meets the minimum concentration required for effective microbial kill.

What is the significance of the Spaulding classification system in endoscope reprocessing?

Answer: It categorizes medical devices as critical, semi-critical, or non-critical based on infection risk to determine the required level of reprocessing

The Spaulding classification determines the minimum reprocessing level needed: critical items (enter sterile tissue) require sterilization, semi-critical items (contact mucous membranes) require HLD, and non-critical items (contact intact skin) require low-level disinfection.

What water quality is required for rinsing flexible endoscopes after high-level disinfection?

Answer: Treated water (filtered, reverse osmosis, or sterile) to prevent recontamination with waterborne organisms

Rinse water quality is critical because tap water can contain waterborne organisms like Pseudomonas that would recontaminate the freshly disinfected endoscope. Treated or sterile water ensures the disinfection results are maintained.