Fluid retention in endoscopes: A real-world study on drying effectiveness.

Background: Outbreaks linked to inadequate endoscope drying have infected numerous patients, and current standards and guidelines recommend at least 10 minutes of forced air for drying channels. This study evaluated a new forced-air drying system (FADS) for endoscopes.

Methods: Drying was assessed using droplet detection cards; visual inspection of air/water connectors, suction connectors, and distal ends; and borescope examinations of endoscope interiors.

Beyond Endoscopes: Pilot Study of Surgical Instrument Lumen Inspection.

Borescope examinations of endoscope channels are commonly described in literature, but no studies on surgical instrument lumen inspection have been published recently. Inadequately processed surgical instruments have been implicated in patient infections. This study assessed the utility of borescopes for inspecting surgical instruments.

Improving mastery and retention of knowledge and complex skills among sterile processing professionals: A pilot study on borescope training and competency testing.

Background: Health care is shifting toward minimally invasive procedures requiring increasingly complex instruments and sophisticated processing technologies. Effective training methods are needed to ensure sterile processing professionals acquire and retain essential skills. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a new training model that supports mastery and retention of complex key skills.