Survey on drying flexible endoscopes
We would be pleased if you would take a few minutes (approx. 5-10 min) to answer the following questions on the subject of drying your flexible endoscopes.
In general, drying can be carried out in various ways.
- Examples of mechanical drying are:
o Drying (long) programs in the endoscope washer-disinfector (EWD, AER) in accordance with ISO 15883-4
o Drying (short) programs in the EWD (improved purging, so that channels are mostly free of liquids)
o in storage cabinets with controlled environmental conditions for cleaned & disinfected endoscopes in accordance with EN 16442;
- Manual drying of the endoscope channels can be carried out with medical compressed air using air guns. If necessary, a lint-free disposable cloth can be used for the outer surfaces.
A distinction must be made between the coarse removal of liquid/water quantities from internal surfaces (“purge”) and drying (complete removal of all liquids from internal and external surfaces) in accordance with ISO 15883-4. Copper(II) sulphate paper is usually used to check the drying in the latter procedure.
- Examples of mechanical drying are:
o Drying (long) programs in the endoscope washer-disinfector (EWD, AER) in accordance with ISO 15883-4
o Drying (short) programs in the EWD (improved purging, so that channels are mostly free of liquids)
o in storage cabinets with controlled environmental conditions for cleaned & disinfected endoscopes in accordance with EN 16442;
- Manual drying of the endoscope channels can be carried out with medical compressed air using air guns. If necessary, a lint-free disposable cloth can be used for the outer surfaces.
A distinction must be made between the coarse removal of liquid/water quantities from internal surfaces (“purge”) and drying (complete removal of all liquids from internal and external surfaces) in accordance with ISO 15883-4. Copper(II) sulphate paper is usually used to check the drying in the latter procedure.