EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Technical Assistance Endoscope

Assuming that the supplier has actually examined the 'scope, how can you "justify" the mishap? Of course the user will admit nothing. Especially if s/he is expecting to be punished in some way. And, how can you expect the supplier to shoulder the expense of repairs or replacement, if such things are not covered in your agreement with him?

Once again I enquire:- what are the staff like? Have they been trained?

This "problem" is not going to go away, is it Mammad? I don't see what else we can offer you here (except, of course, sympathy).

Why not just write it off to an "accident", either pay to repair the 'scope or buy a new one, get the people trained, purchase a decent service contract ... then move on, and learn from the experience? Frankly (as I have said before), if hospitals cannot shoulder the financial burden of employing this sort of technology, then they should think twice about adopting it in the first place.

I know I am not alone in seeing (probably) hundreds of similar situations, not only with endoscopes, but with medical equipment of all types.

Case adjourned!

Mammad,

Geoff pretty much summed the situation up.

additional suggestions:

1. Observe how the scopes are handled - from the sterile storage to procedure room, then how it is used in the procedure, where it goes after the procedure before it goes for cleaning, how is it cleaned, and then on to the storage. A lot of locations where the scope can be damaged by mishandling. You have to pinpoint the areas for improvement.

2. Check the detergent and the sterilant used in endoscope washer. Are those the ones recommended by the manufacturer and will not harm the scope rubber?

As Geoff and others had stated (directly or indirectly), user training is the key to minimize if not eradicate the problem.
Good luck and hope you can bring the point across to the doctor.