ENDOSCOP E R E P ROCES S ING
are intended to be used within 3 or 4 hours after reprocessing. However, this can be a risk for proliferation if microorganisms and recontamination remain on the endoscope.3 Dr. Vinteler continued: “As insufficient
drying can be a source of microbial contamination and the transmission of infectious material, the PlasmaTyphoon is designed to reduce the risk of infection by perfectly drying the scopes. The solution offers a new way to dry and store the scope with plasma, thereby reducing the risk of contamination. The drying process is managed by a patented curve of pressure and temperature. The unit uses a laminar flow to eliminate the water from the endoscope channels followed by a turbulent heated flow to dry the walls.” Dr. Vinteler explained that the
PlasmaTyphoon guarantees a dry endoscope in one to five4
minutes (the drying time
depends on the endoscope type), and storage up to 31 days5 environment.6
in a fully controlled If the endoscope needs to
be stored, after completion of the drying process, a single-use PlasmaBag offers a solution. Plasma, containing ozone molecules, is insufflated into the bag ensuring the dry and disinfected state of the endoscope is maintained due to biocidal effect of the ozone. It allows safe endoscope transportation while reducing the need for repeated reprocessing. This solution stores the endoscopes in a closed and dry environment, free of dust and pathogens in their disinfected state for 31 days.7,8 This solution saves time and space, while enabling improved mobility of the scopes and improved hygiene.
A validated drying and storage solution Dr. Lionel Pineau, director, Eurofins, Biotech-Germande, went on to reiterate the importance of drying to eliminate biofilm
Drying the endoscope is important to the prevention of pathogen transmission and nosocomial infection. Flexible endoscopes should be dried after completion of the cleaning and disinfection process. If the endoscope is not to be reused immediately and is to be stored, the endoscope channels and outer surfaces should be dried thoroughly.
formation: “Manufacturers of portable drying systems need to provide all relevant type-test data to verify and validate process effectiveness,” he advised. “They should provide a table and schedule of tests, indicating the performance of such systems, to ensure patient safety.”1 Dr. Pineau explained that, to verify the
PlasmaTyphoon and PlasmaBag system’s ability to dry and maintain the quality of endoscopes, Biotech-Germande conducted a series of tests: “We contaminated two endoscopes; one endoscope was dried with medical grade air and stored horizontally and the other was dried and stored using the PlasmaTyphoon and PlasmaBag system. The endoscope dried and stored outside the PlasmaTyphoon and PlasmaBag system obtained a reduction of contamination by no more than 1 log. The endoscope dried and stored in the PlasmaTyphoon and PlasmaBag system reduced the contamination by at least 2 log.”1
Eurofins Biotech Germande’s efficacy tests, according to the EN16442, confirmed that when using the PlasmaTyphoon and PlasmaBag system, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions-for-use, the system allowed for better elimination
of the liquid present within the endoscope channels, therefore ensuring better control of the residual contamination levels in the endoscope. The tests also demonstrated that the solutions are compatible with all endoscopes on the market. Dr. Pineau continued: “The same kind of test was conducted using non-Pentax Medical endoscopes and the results remained strong. With this system, physicians can better ensure the quality of the endoscopes, as the reduction of the bacteria inside the channel remains consistent.”1
On the contrary,
Eurofins Biotech Germande determined that drying an endoscope with just medical grade air, using an airgun and storing it horizontally, without use of the PlasmaBag, resulted in a proliferation of the bacteria inside the channels. Dr. Pineau concluded: “The prevention of biofilm is vital. The key point is to eliminate water from the endoscope channels. It was demonstrated in our tests that the PlasmaTyphoon and PlasmaBag system is very fast in efficiently drying the endoscope channels. In fact, by making the drying stage more efficient and easy to achieve, Biotech- Germande demonstrated that the system reduced the risk of endoscope contamination and biofilm formation inside the endoscope channels. Additionally, the system allows for safe and controlled transport of the reprocessed scope.” Ulrike Beilenhoff, former president of the European Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Nurses and Associates (ESGENA), provided a practical perspective on the importance of drying stating that: “From the perspective of nurses, drying requires time. Time is always short in endoscope reprocessing and the drying, as shown by field studies, is often skipped. This then leads to issues with biofilm formation and growth of bacteria, thus the importance of standardising drying processes.’’
Role of single-use consumables to improve patient safety Innovative solutions for proper cleaning of endoscope channels are critical to minimising
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