Which of the following steps is NOT included in the manual cleaning process?

Soaking in disinfectant is not part of the manual cleaning process for flexible endoscopes. The manual cleaning process primarily involves physical actions to remove organic material and biofilm from the surfaces of the endoscope. This includes steps that ensure that all channels and components are thoroughly cleaned using brushes to dislodge soil and debris, followed by rinsing with sterile or filtered water to remove any residues.

Inspection for damage is crucial as it ensures the integrity of the scope before and after the cleaning process, while using cleaning brushes is an essential part of effectively removing contaminants. Rinsing with sterile water is performed to ensure that no cleaning agents remain on the endoscope, which could interfere with disinfection processes or patient safety. Soaking, however, is typically associated with the disinfection phase rather than cleaning, as it involves a chemical process rather than a physical cleaning action.