title: Clear channels.
abstract: Ineffective reprocessing of flexible endoscopes can have devastating consequences for your patients-and for your facility's bottom line. Protecting your patients and your institution requires developing an effective reprocessing protocol, following that protocol without exception, and selecting and using compatible devices and methods. We illustrate the kinds of problems that can occur and describe the steps to follow to avoid them.
mesh_terms: D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D019723:Endoscopes / Q000382:microbiology / Q000592:standards*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017743:Equipment Reuse / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*