Pentax EC-380LKp, Owner'S Manual, Page: 41 / 52

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4-2-2 HIGH-LEVEL DISINFECTION
Before any attempt is made to disinfect endoscopic accessory instruments and/or scope components such as bite
block, air/water and suction control valve, brushes, etc. the complete cleaning procedure as described elsewhere
in this manual, must have been completed. Heavily soiled components such as valve mechanisms, inlet seals, etc.
should be ultrasonically cleaned prior to subsequent high-level disinfection.
1) The entire accessory or component should be immersed in disinfecting solution.
2) Accessory and component surfaces should remain in contact with the disinfecting solution for the time period
recommended by the manufacturer of the solution and accepted by the user as appropriate. To ensure better
contact, manipulate components such as valves while injecting disinfectant into/onto components surfaces.
3) After the item has been in contact with the disinfecting solution for the appropriate amount of time, remove it
from the solution.
4) Rinse all residual disinfecting solution from the accessory/component by immersing it under sterile water.
5) After thoroughly rinsing, the items should be gently dried using a soft gauze or the like. Compressed air may
also be used to facilitate drying.
WARNING:
Current infection control guidelines require that biopsy forceps and similar endoscopic accessory instru-
ments (EAIs) which enter sterile tissue or the vascular system or break the mucosal barrier must be ster-
ilized before each patient use. It is recommended that any endoscopic accessory instruments intended
for use in the biliary tract be subjected to an appropriate sterilization process. For patient contact endo-
scopic accessories, follow the specific and detailed reprocessing instructions supplied with each prod-
uct.
NOTE:
Ideally, all final rinses should be made with sterile water or bacteria-free water whose microbial quality
has been confirmed via monitoring. After water rinsing, 70-90% ethyl or isopropyl alcohol should be
flushed through lumens of the endoscopic instruments as well as any removable scope components
including valve mechanisms, followed by compressed air, not greater than 165 kPa (24 PSI) to facilitate
drying. External instrument and component surfaces can be dried by gently wiping with a sterile gauze or
lint-free cloth saturated with alcohol.
Regardless of the quality of the rinse water used, a dry instrument accomplished by a final alcohol rinse
followed by forced air is essential to prevent bacteria colonization and/or infections associated with
waterborne microorganisms. Such infections are more likely to occur when wet/contaminated instru-
ments are used on patients whose immune systems are compromised or suppressed or when these
devices are used in anatomical areas considered sterile and/or susceptible to these organisms.
WARNING:
The addition of defoaming agents to the water supply and/or automated reprocessing system is NOT
recommended. Due to their nature, these silicone based agents cling tenaciously to surfaces. Unless
they are rinsed very thoroughly, a “barrier” could be created which could reduce the effectiveness of the
disinfection/sterilization process. Additionally, repeated use of such defoamers could eventually lead to
residual silicone build up resulting in equipment malfunction such as clogged air and water channels.
Similarly, silicone residues can deposit a “film” onto the distal objective lens causing “blurry” endo-
scopic images.