Proper reprocessing of tools — like endoscopes and other instruments — should be of upmost importance to hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, as it has a major impact on patient safety.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, inadequate reprocessing can lead to the retention of bioburden like blood and tissue on the device. "This debris can allow microbes to survive the disinfection or sterilization process, which can then lead to healthcare-associated infections," states the FDA on its website.
"Beyond patient safety, proper reprocessing can cut down on the amount of re-cleaning necessary, getting instruments back into circulation faster," says Marc Esquenet, vice president of research and development with Ruhof Healthcare. "This allows hospitals and ASCs to keep surgeries on-time."
Choosing the right detergent to use during the reprocessing process can have a noticeable effect on how efficient and cost effective reprocessing is in a facility, Mr. Esquenet says. "For instance, an enzymatic detergent is a good option, as enzymes are the best way to start breaking down and solubilizing bioburden on scopes and other instruments."
"You want something that's going to solubilize multiple types of soil that make up bioburden," he says, "like fats, starches, proteins and synthetic oils."
Here, Mr. Esquenet shares three additional tips on choosing the right reprocessing cleaning product.
1. Look for proof. A good detergent will have proof it can do what it says it does, in the form of results from a clinical trial. "Generally, a good detergent will remove 99.9 percent of bioburden," he says.
2. Look at cost per dilution. "So many people look at the cost per unit," Mr. Esquenet says, when they really should look at the cost per dilution, or how much the product costs per prepared gallon. For instance, one solution could be $30 per gallon with a 1 ounce per gallon dilution rate. Another solution could be more expensive up front, at $40 per gallon, but have a half ounce per gallon dilution rate, making it more cost effective in the long run.
3. Go for low-foam. A good detergent will be low-foaming in a sink as well as in a machine, making it an all-in-one cleaner. Foam in an automatic washer is bad "because it can cut down on the pumping action and not allow the machine to spray as intended, leading to less contact with instruments" Mr. Esquenet explains. "This could lead to machine failure."
While selecting the right detergent for instrument reprocessing won't automatically make a facility's process perfect, it is a step in the right direction to proper reprocessing, thus improving patient safety and cutting down on overall costs.