ENDOSCOPY


tasks can be fulfilled…We are now looking to roll-out Protech to other parts of the hospital that use flexible endoscopes such as cystoscopy and ENT,” she concluded.


Conclusion Ultimately, protecting the tips of your endoscopes can prevent damage, reduce repair costs and limit scope defects which can also harbour debris.The cost of scope repairs will continue to increase as endoscopes become more sophisticated – especially as we move from optical to ever- more complicated digital technologies. As the complexity increases, so consequently, the required repairs become even more unique and complicated. There are also consequences beyond just repair costs when it comes to damaged scopes, particularly if the scopes are not repaired immediately. These include: 1. Cancelled procedures and delayed patient treatment. Scope repairs can be time- consuming. It can take up to three to five days if a scope is sent out for repairs.16,17


2. Increased procedure time related to reduced scope functionality.15


3. Negative impacts on patient comfort and potentially create the need for more medication.2


4. Increased legal risk and compromised patient safety if an endoscope fails during an exam.2


5. Non-availability of loan scopes, or increased procedures to track and trace loan scopes.


Loan scopes are not always readily available and, if they are, extra care needs to be taken understanding reprocessing protocols, should it not be a like-for-like replacement. Taking a few extra precautions in handling reprocessing, transport and storage of endoscopes can help facilities reduce repair expenditures while maximising scope uptime. It is important for endoscopy departments to consider: where are the highest risks of scope contact and damage likely to occur? Units should ensure staff are consistent in the manual handling aspects of both the scope and the potential tip protector used, and hospitals must implement safeguards to ensure a single-use tip protector cannot not be reused. Lastly, endoscopy departments need to consider that standardised procedures and products are more likely to ensure compliance. CSJ


References 1. Avoiding the Broken Endoscope Blues June 17, 2019. Kate O’Rourke. Gastroenterology and Endoscopy News. https://www.gastroendonews. com/In-the-News/Article/06-19/Avoiding-the- Broken-Endoscope-Blues/55148. Accessed 14th January 2020


2. FDA Safety Communication. 17th


711622%20endoboot.pdf. Accessed 14th January 2020


14. Cori L. Ofstead, Harry P. Wetzler, Otis L. Heymann, Ellen A. Johnson, John E. Eiland, Michael J. Shaw, Longitudinal assessment of reprocessing effectiveness for colonoscopes and gastroscopes: Results of visual inspections, biochemical markers, and microbial cultures. American Journal of Infection Control, Vol. 45, Issue 2, e26–e33. February 2017


January 2017. http://www.fda.gov/ Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/ SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ ucm537146.htm. Accessed 14th January 2020


3. Goldstine S. Endoscopy storage: Preventing distal tip protector contamination. Gastroenterology Nursing 28(1), 45-46, 2005


4. Rochelle Salmore. Practice Tips - Endoscope Protection. Gastroenterology Nursing Volume 23, No. 6, November 2000


5. Lynne A. Thomas. Evaluation of Your Endoscope’s Environment: Outcome-Oriented Process Improvement https://www.educationaldimensions. com/eLearn/environment/storage.php Accessed 14th January 2020


6. Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. (2015). Flexible and Semi-Rigid Endoscope Processing in Health Care Facilities (ANSI/AAMI ST91: 2015). Arlington, VA: Author.


7. FDA. Evaluation and Definition of Potentially Hazardous Foods - Chapter 3. Factors that Influence Microbial Growth. http:// www.fda.gov/Food/FoodScienceResearch/ SafePracticesforFoodProcesses/ucm094145.htm. Accessed 14th January 2020


8. Bisset L, Cossart YE, Selby W, West R, Catterson D, O’Hara K, Vickery K. A prospective study of the efficacy of routine decontamination for gastrointestinal endoscopes and the risk factors for failure. Am J Infect Control 2006; 34(5):274.


9. Thomas, L. How Current Are Your Endoscope Reprocessing Practices? http://multimedia.3m. com/mws/media/685910O/how-current- are-your-endoscope-reprocessing-practices. pdf?&fn=Current%20Endoscope%20Practices. pdf. Accessed 14th January 2020


10. BSG Guidance on for decontamination of equipment for gastrointestinal endoscopy. The Report of a Working Party of the British Society of Gastroenterology Endoscopy Committee. June 2014. Revised November 2016


11. Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc. 2010 House of Delegates Proposed by: Debbie Vance, RN CGRN. https://www.yumpu. com/en/document/view/35188602/2010-house- of-delegates-resolutions-sgna. Accessed 14th January 2020


12. CS-33 Infection Prevention and the GI Team. C Coleman, et al. Sponge Tip Protectors: Do They Encourage Microbial Growth on Endoscopes. http:// sgna.conferencespot.org/sgna-56701-1.971227/t- 001-1.971703?qr=1 Accessed 14th January 2020


13. Endoscope tip protector. Instructions for use. http://www.usendoscopy.com/~/media/Files/ Documents/IFU/00730442g_ifu%20711621%20


94 l WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM About the author


Andy Eakins is a technical specialist in the field of medical device development and his 30 year career has focused in the spheres of endoscopy, cleaning and maintenance. He started with Olympus in the UK in 1989, and began their EndoTherapy Business which concentrated for the first time on their flexible accessory products. He has also worked for Bard Endoscopic Technologies and oversaw the transition to Conmed Endoscopic Technologies. He has also worked distributing for endoscopic companies such as Medwork from Germany and Prince for France. Andrew has also worked within the European marketing team for Boston Scientific as well as holding a number of other positions including Marketing, Product and Business development roles. In recent years, Andrew has concentrated his endoscopic knowledge on the areas of scope maintenance, cleaning, disinfection and cross-contamination.


NOVEMBER 2020


15. E McBurney. Review of the number of endoscope repairs and loans required after implementation of a new tip protection device. Free Paper I Presentation: L-5. UEGW October 29, 2017.


16. Dix K. Scope Cleaning and Repair: Top 10 Ways to Keep Scopes Happy. Infection Control Today Magazine. Posted on March 1, 2008; Available at: http://primedcanada.com/wp-content/ uploads/2012/05/EndoNurse-Scope-Cleaning-and- Repair.pdf. Accessed 14th January 2020


17. DiIulio R. Service Solutions: Protecting Your Endoscope Investment. 24X7, October 2006 Issue; Available at: https://www.highbeam.com/ doc/1G1-165939435. html. Accessed 14th January 2020


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