What should be ensured before the reuse of an endoscope post-cleaning?

Before reusing an endoscope after cleaning, it is essential that it undergoes a full cycle of high-level disinfection. High-level disinfection is a critical step in the reprocessing of medical instruments, particularly flexible endoscopes, because these devices can come into contact with mucous membranes and other sterile parts of the body.

Completing a full cycle of high-level disinfection ensures that any remaining microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and spores, are effectively eradicated, therefore minimizing the risk of infection to patients. This process typically involves immersing the endoscope in a disinfection solution or utilizing a high-level disinfection machine, depending on the protocols in place.

Visual inspection is important to ensure there are no visible soils, but it is not sufficient alone to guarantee that all pathogens have been eliminated. Relying solely on visual inspection or the appearance of cleanliness can be misleading, as some contaminants may not be visible to the naked eye.

The use of a color change indicator can assist in determining if the disinfection has occurred, but it is not a substitute for the thorough disinfection process itself. An endoscope may not be safe for reuse unless it has been properly disinfected to meet established safety standards. Thus, the procedure