Care of endoscopic instrumentation

1. Physicians and OR nursing personnel should be familiar with the use of--and recommendations for care and maintenance of--all endoscopes and accessories. Many costly repairs can be significantly reduced or eliminated by mandating attendance at comprehensive inservice programs for all personnel involved in handling and reprocessing. 2. Video photography is becoming an integral part of many endoscopic procedures. The video camera can make the operative case interesting and informative when it works properly. It can make that same procedure a nightmare if the camera or any of the components are not functioning properly. 3. Each instrument should be examined and tested according to the manufacturer's recommendation prior to and following decontamination, disinfection or sterilization, and use. Always refer to the manufacturer's operating and maintenance manuals for specific cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization guidelines.