title: Implementing the SOHN-endorsed AORN guidelines for reprocessing reusable upper airway endoscopes.
abstract: This is a companion paper to two previous publications on recommended practices for cleaning and reprocessing flexible endoscopes used in Otolaryngology (Burlingame, Arcilla, & McDermott, 2008; Adams & Baker, 2010). In this paper we capture and expand upon the audience question and answer session in which the Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurse (SOHN)--endorsed the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) recommended practices were presented to the SOHN membership (Adams & Waddington, September, 2010). We include additional background information to assist readers in understanding some of the science behind the recommendations and share successful implementation strategies from Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) outpatient nurses and published references.
authors.affiliation: ENT Devices Branch, U. S. Food and Drug Administration Silver Spring, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Susan F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Rudy
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Waddington
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D004203:Disinfection / Q000592:standards*; D019723:Endoscopes / Q000382:microbiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000451:nursing; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012956:Societies, Nursing