Leak testing endoscopes - Letters To The Editor - Letter to the Editor

AORN Journal, March, 2004 by James Collins, Dorothy M. Fogg

In the AORN Journal "Clinical Issues department, Cleaning endoscopes; advance medication preparation; reusing irrigation setups; procedure masks; fire safety; reusing blades," (vol 78, November 2003) leak testing of the endoscope was not mentioned during the author's reply to the question. Leak testing is a paramount component of endoscope reprocessing and cannot be taken for granted or mentioned too frequently.

JAMES COLLINS

RN, BS, CNOR

NURSE MANAGER

DEPARTMENT OF GASTROENTEROLOGY

CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION

CLEVELAND

Author's Response. The "AORN recommended practices for cleaning and processing endoscopes and endoscopic equipment" has a section devoted to testing endoscopes and related equipment. The material presented in the November "Clinical Issues" department is intended as a sample cleaning protocol only and was not intended to address all facets of endoscope care. AORN's recommended practices on cleaning and processing endoscopes can be found in AORN's Standards, Recommended Practices, and Guidelines. This publication is available through the AORN online Bookstore at http://www.aorn.org or by contacting the AORN Customer Service department at (800) 755-2676 x 1.

DOROTHY M. FOGG,

RN, BSN, MA

PERIOPERATIVE NURSING SPECIALIST

AORN CENTER FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Editor's note: Please submit all correspondence to AORN Journal, Letters to the Editor, 2170 S Parker Rd, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80231-5711.