Passing eyewasher inspections; creating a suitable space for scope processing

A Herewith is a sample form (see table above) that you might want to use as a springboard in developing a log sheet unique to your particular equipment, setting or organization. It is important that you consult with the eyewash manufacturer to obtain relative information on the care, use and maintenance of their specific equipment. I would also suggest that you review AAMI ST 79 for additional information on standards and recommendations relative to eyewash stations and equipment. The manufacturer’s and AAMI documents will likely provide you with some additional key points that you might want to incorporate into your checklist.

Q Currently our volume of endoscopy procedures is quite low and user departments and clinicians are responsible for the reprocessing of their own scopes. We realize that this is not the best practice. Within the next year we will be expanding our GI services and as a result we anticipate that the reprocessing work volume will significantly increase. We plan to centralize all scope reprocessing in the Central Sterile Processing area. We believe that this will greatly improve technique and standardize associated practices. The challenge is that we have limited space available in CSP to take on this task. We do plan to utilize some small adjacent rooms which will add on a little more space. Due to budget constraints any renovations will be moderate. We will need to prioritize our needs. I would appreciate any guidance or suggestions you might offer that would assist us in planning our work space for scope processing.

A The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) is a federal advisory committee chartered to provide advice and guidance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the practice of infection control and strategies for surveillance, prevention, and control of healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance and related events in United States healthcare settings. CDC asked HICPAC for guidance on ways to improve facility-level training and ensuring competency for reprocessing endoscopes. HICPAC formed a multi organizational and professional work group, that as requested by CDC, produced a very intense and complete advisory document which was then published by the CDC in 2016.

The HICPAC document listed the following eight key points that should be considered for the establishment of an appropriate work setting for the processing of endoscopes.

1. The reprocessing area should be in a space that is separate from the patient procedural area.
2. Review the physical setting to ensure a “one way” work flow that separates contaminated work spaces from clean work spaces.
3. If a separate room is used for manual cleaning of endoscopes, ensure a directional airflow that maintains negative pressure within that room relative to adjoining spaces.
4. Ensure that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning parameters are appropriate for the chemicals and equipment in use.
5. Staff should have access to a handwashing sink that is separate from the reprocessing sink(s).
6. Install eyewash stations, either plumbed or self-contained, within the endoscopy reprocessing room where chemicals that are hazardous to the eyes are used. Eyewash stations should not be installed in a location that requires flushing of the eyes in the decontamination sink.
7. Ensure that manufacturer’s IFUs for reprocessing of the endoscopes and for use of the AERs and associated chemicals are readily available.
8. Provide designated space to enable access to files electronically (e.g., computer) or hard copy (e.g., in binders for IFUs and Safety Data Sheets for chemicals used to reprocess flexible endoscopes).

I would recommend that you access and read the full document at the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/flexible-endoscope-reprocessing.pdf

Other essential documents that you should obtain are; AAMI ST91 Flexible and semi rigid endoscope processing in healthcare facilities and the AORN Guideline for processing flexible endoscopes. In these two documents you will find complete, very specific and detailed information that will provide you with all the necessary information for the reprocessing of endoscopes and the establishment of a sound safe working facility and environment .