How did you disinfect endoscopes in the department before the D60s came?
Looking back on it, it seems a laborious way now that we are used to the D60. We brought our endoscopes to the Central Sterilization Department (CSSD) in transport bins at the end of the day. There the endoscopes were disinfected overnight. The next morning we collected the endoscopes back from the CSSD. There was no time and capacity to disinfect the endoscopes during the day at the CSSD. Therefore, we used Endosheaths to use the endoscope between patients. After taking the Endosheath off, the endoscope was cleaned with alcohol after which we could use the endoscope again.
Why were the endoscopes not disinfected after each use?
Because we did not have enough endoscopes for that and the CSSD did not have enough capacity. The ETZ has three locations; location ETZ Elizabeth, ETZ TweeSteden and ETZ Waalwijk. The CSSD is only at the locations in Tilburg, so the endoscopes that were used in Waalwijk came to Tilburg once a day by van to be disinfected. That was time-consuming.
The use of Endosheaths also had drawbacks, as these covers around the endoscope obstruct the doctor's view. The doctors had fine vision, but now that they work without an extra layer between the scope and the patient, they can only see what an improvement it is. The Endosheaths cost about ten euros each and can only be used once. We are happy that with the D60 we are now working in a more sustainable way.
We are happy that with the D60 we are now working in a more sustainable way."
Did you often have damage to endoscopes?
If doctors did not carefully remove the Endosheath from the endoscope, the end of the scope would poach, damaging the tip. These endoscopes had to be repaired at great expense, and we lost them for a long time. We also used bins to transport the endoscopes on a cart. It sometimes happened that the tip of an endoscope was caught between the container and the lid, and then damaged when the container was pressed onto the rails of the cart.
With the arrival of the D60, we haven't had any damage to the endoscopes so far. This is because we now own the endoscopes and fewer people have them in their hands. They know how valuable they are and handle them with care.
With the advent of the D60, we have not had any damage to our endoscopes so far.
And why did you choose the D60?
Mainly because of the time we save. We had been looking around for other options since we were so dependent on the CSSD. The idea of a washing machine in our own outpatient department was quickly dismissed, because even a faster washing machine takes about 20 to 25 minutes. With the amount of endoscopes we have, the washing machine would then have to be on continuously, or you'd have to have multiple washing machines. When the D60 came into the picture, with manual cleaning and disinfection in 60 seconds, the choice was quickly made!
And how have you set up the process now?
We have set up one room in the outpatient clinic at location ETZ Elizabeth for pre-cleaning and disinfection. Here there are two D60s next to each other. Two employees have been hired who are responsible for the disinfection of endoscopes. Above the consulting rooms there is a light that goes on when a used scope is hanging in the consulting room. This is then collected and taken to the disinfection room. Here we have holders for easy manual cleaning of used endoscopes. These endoscopes are pre-cleaned in turn and given a leak test. Then they can be disinfected in 60 seconds in the D60 and are ready for use again.
Some days we have 5 to 6 consultations at the same time, including the oncologist. Then we need over 50 endoscopes on a day. With that number of endoscopes on such a hectic day, the disinfection of those scopes using the D60 is still a piece of cake!
Some days we need over 50 endoscopes in a day. On such a busy day, disinfecting with the D60 is still a piece of cake!
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