Eligible for 1.0 contact hour | HSPA | CBSPD | RN |

During this webinar, the presenter describes her team’s groundbreaking discovery of simethicone inside gastrointestinal endoscopes. She explains how the substance was originally identified and describes her team’s detection of other insoluble products on bronchoscopes and GI endoscopes. The presenter discusses the nature of these products, their clinical value, and the dilemma posed by policies that prohibit their use. This course is designed to empower clinicians, perioperative nurses, central service managers, and reprocessing personnel interested in identifying suspicious residues found on endoscopes. The webinar includes recommendations for addressing the use of these insoluble products, including methods for determining which products are being used, conducting risk assessments, and developing strategies for reducing the risk.

Objectives

By the end of this one-hour webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Describe four types of insoluble products that are commonly used during endoscopy
2. Explain how the use of these products impacts reprocessing effectiveness
3. Summarize guidelines and manufacturer statements on the use of insoluble products
4. Discuss strategies for addressing the potential impact of these products

Content outline

1. Background
   1. Endoscope reprocessing does not reliably eliminate soil or bioburden
   2. The use of insoluble products may be making the situation worse
2. Discovery of simethicone inside endoscopes
   1. Initial observations during visual inspections with borescopes
      
   2. Collaborating with facility personnel to determine potential sources
      
   3. Capturing samples and running laboratory tests to identify the substances
      
   4. Identifying the foreign substance
   5. Learning about the nature and clinical value of simethicone
      
   6. Exploring the implications for endoscope reprocessing and maintenance
3. Detection of other insoluble products used during endoscopy:
   1. Lubricants containing oils and silicone
      
   2. Tissue glue
      
   3. Hemostatic powders and sprays
4. Guidelines and manufacturer statements about insoluble products

   
   

5. Addressing the use of insoluble products during endoscopy:
   1. Determining which products are being used during endoscopy
      
   2. Reviewing product labels, manufacturer IFU, guidelines, and facility policies
      
   3. Evaluating current procedures for detecting and removing foreign substances
      
   4. Conducting a risk assessment and developing strategies for reducing risk
6. Sponsor acknowledgement (Supported by an educational grant from Healthmark)