What should be done if the outer sheath of an endoscope is suspected to be compromised?

What should be done if the outer sheath of an endoscope is suspected to be compromised?

• A. Send it to a repair facility
• B. Continue using it but with caution
• C. Re-clean and disinfect if appears soiled or wet
• D. Retire the endoscope for safety

Answer: (C)

When the outer sheath of an endoscope is suspected to be compromised, the primary consideration should always be patient safety and equipment integrity. The most appropriate action is to retire the endoscope for safety. Compromising factors can include cracks, tears, or any damage that could expose internal components or create potential risks of infection transmission. Therefore, even if the outer sheath appears soiled or wet, re-cleaning and disinfecting it would not address the underlying issue of structural integrity. Instead, using a compromised endoscope is not advisable as it could lead to unreliable performance or patient risk. In this scenario, retiring the endoscope ensures that it cannot be inadvertently used in a clinical setting, thereby protecting patients and maintaining overall standards in sterile processing. Addressing the issue by sending it to a repair facility may be considered afterward, but the immediate step should always prioritize safety by removing the compromised equipment from circulation.

When the outer sheath of an endoscope is suspected to be compromised, the primary consideration should always be patient safety and equipment integrity. The most appropriate action is to retire the endoscope for safety. Compromising factors can include cracks, tears, or any damage that could expose internal components or create potential risks of infection transmission. Therefore, even if the outer sheath appears soiled or wet, re-cleaning and disinfecting it would not address the underlying issue of structural integrity. Instead, using a compromised endoscope is not advisable as it could lead to unreliable performance or patient risk.

In this scenario, retiring the endoscope ensures that it cannot be inadvertently used in a clinical setting, thereby protecting patients and maintaining overall standards in sterile processing. Addressing the issue by sending it to a repair facility may be considered afterward, but the immediate step should always prioritize safety by removing the compromised equipment from circulation.