ADVER TISEMENT FEA TURE
A year with COVID-19: Supporting hospitals with advanced endoscope drying & effective storage
The PlasmaTYPHOON and PlasmaBAG system
The COVID-19 pandemic originally resulted in a decrease in routine medical appointments and rescheduled planned hospital visits, due to capacity issues across the UK. More recently, as hospitals attempt to catch up on rescheduled procedures, the five integrated hospitals in Southern Derbyshire and South-East Staffordshire are experiencing an influx in endoscopy procedures. As a result, the hospital’s Sterile Services Unit is undergoing greater demand for reprocessed endoscopes. The PlasmaTYPHOON and PlasmaBAG system, for endoscope drying and storage, helps reprocessing staff to better handle the increased workload. We spoke to Wendy Kirk, Decontamination Lead/Sterile Services Manager, about her experience with the system.
What was your experience changing to the PlasmaTYPHOON and PlasmaBAG system?
Wendy Kirk explained: “We previously used, and still have, drying cabinets, but this is a more time consuming process. In my experience, it previously took 60 minutes to dry each endoscope. However, the PlasmaTYPHOON completely dries an endoscope in one to five minutes1
What are the main benefits for you and your team using the system?
(depending on the endoscope type). Implementing the PlasmaTYPHOON and PlasmaBAG system into our Sterile Service Unit was very easy too. We have been effectively using the system for three months now.”
How does the system contribute to improving the hygiene standard?
Wendy Kirk continued: “A perfectly dried scope after reprocessing avoids exponential growth of pathogens which can lead to endoscopy- related infections. After the completion of the drying process, a single use PlasmaBAG is utilised. Since the endoscope is contained within the PlasmaBAG, we feel peace of mind knowing it is sealed, and can be stored and transported.”
The importance of drying and storage
Research shows that to create and maintain an endoscope’s disinfected status, complete drying is an absolute necessity,2
as insufficient drying
can be a source of microbial contamination and the transmission of infectious material. If the endoscope is not to be reused immediately and is to be stored, the endoscope channels and outer surfaces should be dried thoroughly, to avoid exponential microbial growth of possible remaining bacteria.
After the drying, process plasma containing ozone molecules is insufflated into the PlasmaBAG ensuring the disinfected state of the endoscope is maintained. The PlasmaBAG provides active endoscope storage up to 31 days3,4
in a fully controlled environment. It is crucial to
remember that drying and storage in endoscope reprocessing are just as important for the prevention of infection, as cleaning and high-level disinfection.
Wendy Kirk stated: “The PlasmaTYPHOON and PlasmaBAG system is quick and easy to use. It also allows safe endoscope transportation while reducing the need for repeated reprocessing – allowing us to be more flexible. Previously, we would give endoscopy units scopes that must be used within three hours,5
unless placed in a drying cabinet then the
time period was extended to 31 days. Many endoscopy staff members prefer to receive the endoscope in the PlasmaBAG, rather than from the drying cabinet. This is due to the fact that once the scope is insufflated in the bag it is in a safe environment, and really easy for clinical staff to remove from the PlasmaBAG. Staff are satisfied by the efficient drying, and the efficient way in which a scope can be removed. If it’s preferred by endoscopy staff, than it’s our preferred choice in the Sterile Services Unit as well, particularly for transporting safely across sites.”
Interested in more customer testimonials about the PlasmaTYPHOON and PlasmaBAG system? Watch Prof. Lepelletier and Madame Bodet, from the University of Nantes Reprocessing Centre of Flexible Endoscopes, tell you about their experiences. Learn more about the potential benefits to your hospital here.
References
1 Evaluation of the efficacy of a drying unit for internal channels of endoscopes according to NF S98-030- Test Report by Biotech-Germande February 2015.
2 Julia Kovaleva,a Frans T. M. Peters, b Henny C. van der Mei, c John E. Degener, April 2013 Volume 26 Number 2 Clinical Microbiology Reviews, Transmission of Infection by Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Bronchoscopy
3 Evaluation of the ability of a storage system (plasmabiotics) to maintain the microbiological quality of heat sensitive endoscope. Report by Biotech-Germande April 2017.
4 The maximum storage time may be subject to local regulations on endoscope storage. The country regulation can restrict the maximum storage time to 7 days. Please refer to the relevant regulations or recommendation of your country. 5 Statement based on personal experience.
Phone: +49 40-56-192-0 Email:
info.emea@pentaxmedical.com Web:
www.pentaxmedical.com/emea and
https://the-hygiene-solution-that-fits.com/
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