Help with cleaning and sterilisation of arthroscope

Re: Help with cleaning and sterilisation of arthroscope

Mairead Deasy — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 22:39:40 GMT

Thanks for the help Catherine. Very much appreciated.

Re: Help with cleaning and sterilisation of arthroscope

Catherine Goulding — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:40:13 GMT

To be honest the only protocol was to soak them for no more than 30 minutes prior to the op in Meddis, we had a timer so that as soon as the scope was in for 30 minutes, it was lifted out and rinsed with sterile water. As for cleaning afterward, don;t put in the ultrasonic cleaner as the vibrations can crack the inner parts, just wash them alone, not with the other instruments;

• Place the telescope in a plastic container immediately after use and soak with a neutral pH enzymatic cleaning solution (e.g. Medizyme). DO NOT use an ultrasonic cleaner as this will break the glass rods within the scope

• Rinse to remove any residual blood, protein material, and contaminants

• Rinse thoroughly in distilled water to remove any residual cleaning solution

• Clean the lenses and the fiber optic inlet post with alcohol wipes or cotton tip applicators soaked in 70% alcohol to remove any residue or film

• Wipe the optical elements clean with a lint-free soft cloth

• Dry the entire telescope with a lint-free soft cloth

After cleaning, inspect the telescope for cleanliness and damage

hope this helps

Re: Help with cleaning and sterilisation of arthroscope

Mairead Deasy — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 08:00:17 GMT

Great. Thank you all for that. I think we will be changing to cold sterilisation. Does anyone have a cleaning protocol for them on how exactly it should be done. We are trying to check that everything we are doing is absolutely correct before we use our new scope. Thank you.

Re: Help with cleaning and sterilisation of arthroscope

Juliet Drummond DAVN (med) RVN D32/33 — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 22:42:42 GMT

Not as accessable, but we eo our arthroscopes. if i need something in a hurry, then i cold sterilise as above. ;-)

Re: Help with cleaning and sterilisation of arthroscope

Nick Shackleton — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 21:32:14 GMT

I used to wok in referral centre when I was in veterinary industry and we never autoclaved are scopes. we used the same cold sterilisation process as Catherine has described above. We used to clean in Medizyme and rinse, dry and store. This is the protocol suggested to us by the manufacturer

Re: Help with cleaning and sterilisation of arthroscope

Catherine Goulding — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 16:11:44 GMT

At the veterinary school where I used to work, we didn't sterilise our scope in the autoclave, we used Meddis, soaked for no longer than 30 minutes prior to the procedure, then rinsed in sterile water just before use. Autoclaving them does shorten their life, but then so does the MEddis if they are left in too long. Within the NHS where I am now, we autoclave them with no problems, however I do ot know the temperature of the autoclave as an outside company does it for us. For each place of work, they are stored in black plastic boxes, speciafically designed for rigid endoscopes.