Flex Endoscopy supports the work of healthcare professionals by providing skilled repair and overhaul of endoscopes and related products. To assist our customers we offer information and resources that we hope will be useful.
ENDOSCOPE MAINTENANCE Q&A
What actions can I take to extend the life of my endoscopy equipment?
Preventative maintenance is the single most important action you can take to prolong the life or your endoscopes. It also has the advantage of lowering your repair costs.
- Staff Training: The life expectancy of endoscopes varies greatly depending on daily care and handling practices. Training can help your staff learn to spot minor problems before they become major ones – problems such as bending rubber leaks, tube buckles, channel kinks, and looseness or restrictions in the angulation knobs.
- Care Procedures: Following OEM and industry standards and guidelines for proper care, cleaning, and sterilization will also prevent costly repair bills and keep you equipment at peak performance.
- Leak Tests: Fluid invasion from leaks can cause severe damage to your endoscopes. Leak testing is probably the most important proactive diagnostic process you can perform.
How often should I leak test my scopes?
Your scope should be leak tested after every procedure and before sterilization. In addition, pressure testing should also be performed 1) when any kind of damage occurs to the scope no matter how minor and 2) whenever the scope returns from repair (regardless of the reason).
How can you tell if there has been fluid invasion?
- Image discoloration, staining, fogging, blank screen, or shorting out
- Video: Constant beeping, taking pictures, or unresponsive video head buttons
- Dim lights (broken/brittle fibers in Light Guide Bundle)
- Stiff or resistant knobs
How often should your endoscope inventory receive a maintenance inspection?
Preventive maintenance should be done quarterly or every six months depending on the frequency of use, reprocessing, care and handling, and the quality of your maintenance and service program.
What are some of the signs that a scope may be in need of a repair?
- Any change in the working characteristics of the scope
- Restriction when passing a cleaning brush
- Degradation of the tubing
- Cuts, holes, or tears in the bending sheath or insertion tube
- Control body impacts such a cleaning sink impact (can cause misaligned o-rings and leaks)
- If it fails a leak test. An endoscope should never be used if it fails a leak test.
Talk to a Flex Endoscopy specialist today.
Phone 719-522-4400 | service@flexendo.com
