DECONTAMINATION
The Soluscope SerieTEE addresses the full process of cleaning, disinfection and rinsing, and automated documentation, ensuring full traceability.
Pre-cleaning Pre-cleaning is a vital manual step in all methods, as this step aims to remove any visual soils – such as gels, human fluids and debris. It takes place in the examination room after the procedure and the protective cover has been removed from the TOE probe. The reprocessing procedure itself should take place in a separate reprocessing area, if possible, and ideally there should be a dirty zone and a clean zone.
The entire reprocessing procedure should have the following steps: 1. Cleaning 2. Disinfection 3. Rinsing 4. Drying
Process time
The duration of the process involving wipes/ soaking, or the semi-automatic process, will
largely depend on the chemistry used and varies significantly on the efficacy protocol of each chemistry. However, reprocessing using wipes ties up staff resources, as all the reprocessing steps need to be performed by a member of staff and manually documented. With these methods, the total time for disinfection can reach more than 30 minutes (depending on the chemistry used) to complete this step and reach sufficient efficacy. Depending on the specified product contact time, in the manual disinfection process, this could result in a total time of up to 50 minutes for the entire reprocessing procedure steps. However, the fully automated Soluscope SerieTEE process (cleaning/disinfection/rinsing/drying) takes just 14 minutes.
Reducing risk of damage Manipulation is always an issue when it comes to TOE probes, as half of the instrument cannot be submerged and, on the other side of the probe, there is the fragile distal tip where the ultrasound crystal part is found. When it comes to reprocessing, manipulation should
This automated system not only protects the probe but also the employees during the process. The fully automated system is fully enclosed with no direct chemistry contact.
56 l
WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM
be limited to avoid any damage. This is why a fully automatic method, covering all steps, can limit the risk of damages. In the case of fully automated reprocessing, all steps are covered without further handling. The operator will only have to load the distal part of the probe into the machine, connect the ultrasound connector to the machine on the other side and launch the cycle. This will release time for other tasks, while the machine manages the full process – including the chemistry verification and disposal.
Protecting staff
This automated system not only protects the probe but also the employees during the process. The fully automated system is fully enclosed with no direct chemistry contact. The fully automated machine operates with single-shot chemicals adapted to the reprocessing procedure, correctly dosed via an automatic dispensing system, and disposed of via the drain connection after use.
Validation
Since all reprocessing steps are process- monitored, program-controlled and fully automatic, the entire TOE probe reprocessing procedure can be validated and documented with a fully automated system. The effectiveness of the cycle result can therefore be automatically reproduced at any time. The reprocessing procedure is easy to carry out, eliminates application errors and reduces staff risk and costs during
JUNE 2022
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
