Chapter 5 Reprocessing: General Policy
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ULTRASOUND GASTROVIDEOSCOPE GF-UCT180
5.3 Precautions
• Some endoscope reprocessors are not designed to
reprocess an elevator wire channel. If the elevator wire
channel cannot be reprocessed by the endoscope
reprocessor, clean, disinfect, and sterilize the endoscope
according to procedures described in Chapter 7, “Cleaning,
Disinfection, and Sterilization Procedures”.
• Failure to properly clean and high-level disinfect or sterilize
endoscope equipment after each procedure can compromise
patient safety. To minimize the risk of transmitting infectious
agents from one patient to another, after each procedure the
endoscope and the equipment must undergo thorough
manual cleaning followed by high-level disinfection or
sterilization, as described in Chapter 7, “Cleaning,
Disinfection, and Sterilization Procedures”. Reprocess not
only the external surface of the endoscope but also all
channels.
• ALL channels of the endoscope, including the elevator wire
channel and balloon channel, MUST be cleaned and
high-level disinfected or sterilized during EVERY
reprocessing cycle, even if the channels were not used
during the previous patient procedure. Otherwise, insufficient
cleaning and disinfection or sterilization of the endoscope
may pose an infection control risk to the patient and/or
operators performing the next procedure with the endoscope.
• After thoroughly brushing or wiping all external surfaces and
the distal end of the endoscope and around the forceps
elevator with a soft brush or lint-free cloth, always visually
confirm that the elevator wire is not broken. If the elevator
wire is broken, patient and/or operator injury could result.
• If the endoscope is not cleaned meticulously, effective
disinfection or sterilization may not be possible. Clean the
endoscope and accessories thoroughly before disinfection or
sterilization to remove microorganisms and organic material
that could reduce the efficacy of disinfection or sterilization.
• Olympus only confirms validation of the endoscope
reprocessors it recommends. When using an endoscope
reprocessor that is not recommended by Olympus, the
manufacturer of the endoscope reprocessor is responsible
for validating compatibility of the reprocessor with the
endoscope models listed in its instruction manual.
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