What should be done with endoscopic instruments that are visibly soiled?

What should be done with endoscopic instruments that are visibly soiled?

• A. They should be stored for future use
• B. They should be cleaned immediately
• C. They should be rinsed under hot water
• D. They should be autoclaved without prior cleaning

Answer: (B)

Endoscopic instruments that are visibly soiled must be cleaned immediately to ensure patient safety and infection control. This step is critical because organic and inorganic matter can harbor pathogens that might lead to infection if not properly addressed. Immediate cleaning helps to remove any contaminants before they dry, which can make cleaning more difficult and may compromise the effectiveness of subsequent disinfection or sterilization processes. Cleaning immediately also allows for the proper functioning of cleaning agents and disinfectants, promoting thorough removal of bio-burden. If instruments are stored for future use without cleaning, they pose a risk of infection transmission since the contaminants can persist and proliferate over time. Similarly, rinsing under hot water or autoclaving without prior cleaning would not adequately reduce the risk of contamination and could damage the instruments, making immediate cleaning the most effective and responsible approach.

Endoscopic instruments that are visibly soiled must be cleaned immediately to ensure patient safety and infection control. This step is critical because organic and inorganic matter can harbor pathogens that might lead to infection if not properly addressed. Immediate cleaning helps to remove any contaminants before they dry, which can make cleaning more difficult and may compromise the effectiveness of subsequent disinfection or sterilization processes.

Cleaning immediately also allows for the proper functioning of cleaning agents and disinfectants, promoting thorough removal of bio-burden. If instruments are stored for future use without cleaning, they pose a risk of infection transmission since the contaminants can persist and proliferate over time. Similarly, rinsing under hot water or autoclaving without prior cleaning would not adequately reduce the risk of contamination and could damage the instruments, making immediate cleaning the most effective and responsible approach.