Tales from the auditors: What we learned from endoscope auditing

Area of Science:

• Healthcare quality improvement
• Infection prevention and control
• Medical device reprocessing

Background:

• Endoscope auditing presents unique challenges compared to other quality initiatives.
• Auditors face complex processes within limited spaces in endoscopy reprocessing areas.
• Staying current with evolving practices and equipment is crucial for effective auditing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To share insights gained from a decade of endoscope processing assessments.
• To provide guidance on effective auditing approaches and staff interaction.
• To enhance the quality of endoscope processing.

Main Methods:

• Conducting 10 years of endoscope processing assessments.
• Involving infection prevention and accreditation staff as auditors.
• Focusing on practical approaches to auditing and staff engagement.

Main Results:

• Accumulated significant knowledge over 10 years of assessments.
• Identified effective strategies for auditing complex processes.
• Developed methods for improving staff interaction to boost quality.

Conclusions:

• Endoscope auditing requires a specialized skill set and continuous learning.
• Effective auditing and staff collaboration are key to improving endoscope processing quality.
• Lessons learned can guide future quality initiatives in this critical area.