What challenges does the internal lumen, specifically, present in the proper cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of the instrument?
JAPP: Having the right-sized cleaning brush is vital to cleaning the lumen. If the channels are not clean, it will not be disinfected or sterilized. KOVACH: The lumen and length of the instrument is very difficult to clean. Because it is so narrow (the diameters of the instruments are getting smaller and smaller), the staff who are cleaning these instruments must follow the manufacturers instructions to the letter. Technicians need proper equipment such as spray guns, brushes, and sonic cleaning equipment. Many departments do not have the proper cleaning equipment. Studies have shown that using sonic cleaning on lumen (not flexible scopes) items is very critical to having a clean instrument. In fact, Dr. Michelle Alfa in an article titled Manual versus automated methods for cleaning reusable accessory devices used for minimally invasive surgical procedures, published in the Journal of Hospital Infection (January 2004) stated the importance of using sonic cleaners with a retro-flushing
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