This standard provides a code of practice for the preparation of flexible fiber-optic endoscopes, video endoscopes and the reusable endoscopic accessories used with flexible endoscopes, for reuse, either manually or using automatic endoscope reprocessors. It covers the requirements for personnel responsible for reprocessing endoscopes and for the reprocessing environments in healthcare facilities.
It does not cover:
- items intended by the manufacturer to be destroyed after single patient use;
- procedures to handle spillages of chemicals used for sterilization or disinfection;
- details of commercially available products used for high-level disinfection or chemical sterilization; and
- validation and routine control of various sterilization methods or procedures.