What are the inherent dangers from improper cleaning, care and handling of rigid endoscopes?
GOLDSTEIN: Endoscopic instrumentation must be meticulously cleaned and dried prior to sterilization. Thorough cleaning removes both micro-organisms and organic soil. Failure to adequately clean can decrease the effectiveness of the sterilization procedure. Always clean each telescope separately. Do not clean with other telescopes or other instruments. Make sure that the telescopes do not touch each other. Do not subject telescopes to ultrasonic cleaning as material compatibility does not exist. Doing so will cause equipment damage. What are some useful tips on how to clean rigid scopes thoroughly for effective sterilization? For manual cleaning, immediately after use, disassemble the instruments. Thoroughly rinse all instrument components with water. The water temperature should not exceed 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). Use a medical-grade, low-foaming, neutral pH detergent or enzymatic detergent and follow the manufacturer’s dilution and temperature recommendations. Do no
