Page 21 - The Care and Handling of Flexible Scopes v3

Care of Flexible Endoscopes

Endoscope An instrument that is inserted into the body using a

natural orifice or one that is created, allowing the
physician to visualise the internal structures or hollow
structures of the body for diagnostic or operative
purposes. The endoscope can be rigid or flexible.
Fibre Optics Transmission of light through flexible glass fibres

without transmitting heat.

High-level Disinfection A process that destroys all vegetative bacteria, viruses,
fungi and mycobacteria, but not necessarily all
bacterial spores.

Peppering Black spots in the visual field of a flexible or rigid
endoscope resulting from broken glass optical fibres or
rod lens.

Semi Critical Item An item that comes in contact with mucous

membranes or non-intact skin, but not with the
bloodstream or normally sterile areas of the body.

Sterilant A chemical germicide that has been approved by the
FDA as capable of destroying all micro-organisms,
including all bacterial spores.

Sterile The state of being free of all living organisms, the
absence of living organisms.

Sterilisation The process that completely eliminates or destroys all
forms of microbial life.

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