Maintenance and care of endoscopes

I. Maintenance and Care

(1) After examining the patient, bedside cleaning should be carried out immediately. Cleaning in the washing room should follow the procedure of leak test, manual cleaning, disinfectant immersion, sterile water rinsing, and proper storage.

(2) The endoscope itself cannot be sterilized by high-temperature and high-pressure steam (endoscopes that can be sterilized by high-temperature and high-pressure steam usually have "AUTOCLAVE" or "AUTOCLAVABLE" marked on their appearance or have a green mark).

(3) Confirm that the cleaning tools are clean, there is no water drop inside the waterproof cover, and confirm that the cleaning tools have no wear and tear, scratches, cracks, twists, or metal and bristle shedding. Poor-quality cleaning tools not only fail to effectively clean the endoscope, but can also damage it.

(4) Before storing the endoscope, please confirm that the surface of the endoscope and all channels are completely dry. Residual water vapor can help bacteria in the air to multiply and grow inside and outside the endoscope, causing contamination.

(5) Clean endoscopes should be hung vertically in a dry place with a moderate temperature. Suitcases should not be used to store cleaned and disinfected endoscopes; they should only be used as transportation tools.

II. Common Malfunctions and Repairs

(1) Nozzle blockage

The distal end accidentally collides with a hard object, causing the nozzle to deform and block. Avoid improper operation when maintaining the endoscope. If the endoscope is not cleaned immediately after use, debris will solidify in the nozzle, causing blockage. Clean the endoscope immediately after use.

The endoscope was not thoroughly cleaned with detergent before disinfection, and the disinfectant caused protein coagulation, leading to blockage. The endoscope must be thoroughly cleaned before disinfection.

The direction of wiping the lens surface is incorrect, and cotton yarn is stuffed into the nozzle, causing blockage. When wiping the lens surface, follow the direction of the nozzle.

After the nozzle is blocked, the needle is used to pick or the nozzle is removed by itself, which will damage the nozzle or cause the internal tube to be more easily blocked. Do not use a needle to pick or remove the nozzle by itself after the nozzle is blocked.

(2) Poor water/air supply

The O-ring in the water bottle connector is damaged, water is poured into the air supply tube, resulting in poor water/air supply and water leakage from the water/air supply button. Be careful when operating the endoscope.

The O-ring in the water bottle cap is damaged/missing/deformed/improperly installed, and gas leaks from the water bottle, resulting in inability to supply water/air. Check the sealing of the water bottle carefully before use.

Improper cleaning and maintenance causes the inner tube or nozzle to be blocked, resulting in poor water/air supply. The endoscope should be cleaned strictly in accordance with the cleaning procedure.

The endoscope was not cleaned immediately after use, and debris solidified in the water/air supply tube, resulting in poor water/air supply. The endoscope should be cleaned immediately after use.

Cleaning accessories with problems are used during cleaning and disinfection, and debris is sent to the endoscope with irrigation, blocking the water/air supply tube, resulting in poor water/air supply. Check the integrity of cleaning accessories thoroughly before cleaning the endoscope.

The endoscope was not thoroughly cleaned before disinfection, and the disinfectant caused protein coagulation, resulting in blockage of the water/air supply tube and nozzle. The endoscope must be thoroughly cleaned before disinfection.

(3) Problems with accessory insertion

The bending angle of the endoscope is too large, and the flexibility of the treatment accessory is limited by its distal hard part, leading to problems with accessory insertion. Be careful when inserting accessories.

The endoscope is bent, causing the forceps channel to deform, leading to problems with accessory insertion. Develop good operating habits when inserting accessories.

Incorrect cleaning and disinfection procedures cause debris coagulation and crystallization in the pipeline, leading to problems with accessory insertion. The endoscope must be cleaned and disinfected correctly.

Damaged accessories are used, and the accessories are knotted in the pipeline, leading to problems with accessory insertion. Check accessories carefully before use.

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