Stringent requirements apply to their installation, operation, and use. Maintaining these instruments in good working condition and effectively performing their intended functions is crucial for improving the quality of medical services and achieving expected benefits. Proactive equipment maintenance is particularly important. Based on the new maintenance philosophy of combining prevention with treatment, maintenance should encompass both maintenance and troubleshooting.
Like other medical equipment, routine maintenance is crucial to ensuring the accuracy of medical endoscopes. This maintenance is considered proactive, also known as preemptive maintenance or preventive maintenance.
The use and routine maintenance of endoscopes are generally performed by the using department and the operator. It is a daily task that should be systematically implemented. This should be documented in operating procedures and precautions. The using department should appoint a technician with sufficient knowledge of the instrument and a strong sense of responsibility to serve as a full-time or part-time instrument administrator to assist and guide the operator in this task. The content of daily maintenance work generally includes:
(1) Cleaning of the machine room and instruments and equipment; observing and adjusting the temperature and humidity of the machine room.
(2) Checking whether the mechanical, rotating, air, water, screws, nuts and other parts of the machine are normal.
(3) Checking whether the switches, knobs, indicator lights, meters and display parameters on the surface of the instrument are normal.
(4) Before formal work, use the instrument self-test program to check the status of each part of the instrument.
(5) Pay attention to whether there are any abnormal odors and sounds during the operation of the instrument, and whether the image quality is normal.
(6) Check whether the operator's operation of the instrument complies with the regulations and corrects them in time.
Because medical endoscopes are invasive detection tools, those who use medical endoscopes have undergone strict training and assessment.
Endoscope fault inspection and repair is also called passive maintenance (endoscope maintenance is active maintenance, also known as advanced maintenance, preventive maintenance): Medical endoscope imaging system workstations are also like other types of instruments. During long-term use, due to various reasons, failures are inevitable. Troubleshooting remains an important task for equipment management and engineering technicians.
Cleaning and Disinfection Before using a medical optical endoscope, it is essential to carefully read the relevant user manual. While understanding the endoscope's design, manufacturing process, and performance, pay attention to the operating instructions and warnings. In addition to correct use, proper disinfection, cleaning, storage, and maintenance are also crucial [1-2]. Below, we will discuss the cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance of medical optical/fiber optic endoscopes, focusing on the environmental requirements for use, pre- and post-operative procedures, and post-operative cleaning and disinfection.
Immerse the dried endoscope in a multi-enzyme cleaning solution for the specified time, as instructed in the user manual.
Immediately after use, rinse thoroughly with running water and dry.
Thoroughly brush the joints, bends, and lumens of the instrument with a soft brush, taking care to avoid scratching the endoscope surface.
Thoroughly clean all components of the endoscope. The lumen should be thoroughly rinsed with a high-pressure water gun. Removable parts must be disassembled for cleaning and then ultrasonically cleaned for 5-10 minutes.
Disinfection and sterilization methods for fiberoptic endoscopes: Disinfection can be performed using a WAYWIN2000 medical sterilizer for 30 minutes, or using ethylene oxide for disinfection and sterilization. In recent years, more medical institutions have adopted low-temperature formaldehyde steam sterilizers, which offer reliable sterilization without lens deactivation. Endoscopes or endoscope components suitable for pressure steam sterilization should be sterilized using pressure steam, ensuring the temperature and time are selected according to the endoscope's instructions.