Nearly half of the channels of reprocessed endoscopes retained water after use of common drying methods, leaving opportunities for the equipment to harbor bacteria, a new study has found.
Air flush cycles are commonly used in the final steps of automated endoscope reprocessing, but the new research shows even prescribed flushing methods may not adequately dry narrow endoscope channels. According to Casey Czarnowski, BA, CRCST, CSPDT, CIS, CER, a