When processing endoscopes, what occurs first?

When processing endoscopes, the first step is decontamination. This initial step is critical as it involves cleaning the instruments to remove any visible soil and bioburden before any further processing can occur. Decontamination typically includes manual cleaning or using specialized cleaning equipment to ensure that all foreign materials, such as blood and tissue, are effectively removed.

Following decontamination, leak testing occurs to ensure the integrity of the endoscope and confirm that it is free from any leaks that could compromise sterility during the sterilization process. Therefore, while leak testing is an essential step in the processing sequence, it does not take place before decontamination.

Sterilization comes later in the process after all cleaning and testing have been completed and the instruments are deemed ready for final sterilization. Inspection also occurs after decontamination and leak testing to ensure that the endoscope is in proper working condition before it is sterilized.