Care and Handling of Small Diameter Flexible Endoscopes
Introduction
Flexible endoscopes are devices designed to permit minimally invasive visualization of the interior of many body cavities and lumens of tubular organs. These instruments have been in use since the late 1960’s and the number of procedures performed with the devices increases each year. The basic design and concept has remained the same, but technical advancements have been made since the first flexible scopes were introduced. These improvements are in size, imaging, light transmission, and their ability to be cleaned and reprocessed. In addition, these instruments have become more specialized with specific model scopes used for specific procedures. Different models may have slightly different capabilities as well as length and diameter differences. The cost of new equipment continues to rise as technology advances, and many facilities are examining ways to extend the life span of the flexible scopes.
Equipment life expectancy varies greatly depending on care and handling practices within each facility. Proper care and handling starts with understanding how the device is constructed and recognizing what types of actions can cause damages. It continues with understanding the reason for each step of reprocessing, not just memorizing steps. Care and handling education continues with evaluating potential problem areas within each stage of scope use: storage, transportation, procedure, and reprocessing.
Pulmonary, urology, anesthesia, general surgery, ENT
This guide will focus specifically on small diameter flexible scopes and covers instruments primarily designed for use in areas other than the digestive tract. Small diameter instruments for the purpose of this educational activity are those with insertion tube outer diameters less than 6.0 mm. This includes flexible bronchoscopes, cystoscopes, hysteroscopes, laryngoscopes, urology scopes, choledocoscopes, and anesthesia scopes.
Next Page: Small Diameter Flexible Endoscope Anatomy: The Outside
