Hospitals have used the 5 rights of medication administration as a foundation to build on as part of their patient safety initiatives:
- the right patient
- the right drug
- the right dose
- the right route
- the right time
There is no reason we can not take the same approach to endoscope reprocessing.
- the right patient
- the right scope
- the right storage practices
- the right reprocessing and tools
- the right data collection
Each one of these steps require manual or electronic data recording. Documentation of the patient name for clinical and billing purposes, recording the scope used on each patient in the event of a infectious outbreak, storing scopes and properly tracking shelf life prior to reprocessing, capturing complex reprocessing steps including testing solutions used. Last but not least, there is a challenge of accurately capturing all the critical data required for procedural, regulatory and patient safety compliance.
Even facilities with stringent reprocessing procedures face the challenge of staff distractions, differences in manufacture guidelines, cutting corners of some of the mundane task, either out of necessity because of staffing shortages or to increase throughput due to the increased amount of endoscope procedures.
Automation can improve the workflow and documentation integrity of all data related to the endoscope life cycle. Electronic data is captured and searchable, such as:
- Procedure date and time
- Patient name and MRN
- Endoscopist
- Endoscope model and serial number
- AER model and serial number
- Staff member(s) reprocessing the endoscope
- Log of chemical test results/ lab results
- Re-disinfect after period of non-use (e.g 7 days)
ECRI continuously list endoscope reprocessing as one of their annual “Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns” primarily due to the complexity of cleaning and the the transmission of infectious agents.
Increased recalls and litigation are gaining media attention coast to coast, sometimes giving health systems with reputations of excellent care a bad name. Scope manufactures are also getting negative press.
All the steps of endoscope use, cleaning and storage need to be documented making data capture the common denominator and the area that the staff needs the most support.
Contact Mobile Aspects if you would like more information.
For information on iRIScope click here.
To obtain a copy the ECRI report click here.