Endoscopecomponent's Blog

Important endoscopy dates in 2010

endoscopecomponent — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:24:36 +0000

Every year there are many educational and training events been held. These courses and events encourage exchange of ideas, general practices and new advances in endoscopy. As every year, this year too has many events to look forward to –

Endoscope events this year -

DDW – Medical systems (Exhibition/Congress)
New Orleans, May 1st – May 6th 2010

Colorectal Cancer Screening Committee Agenda DDW, New Orleans
New Orleans, May 2010

37th Annual SGNA Course
Apr 30 — May 5, Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel; Orlando, FL United States

15th Annual Advanced Endoscopy Update
May 7 — May 8, Wild Dunes Resort; Isle of Palms, SC United States

ERCP Nurses Workshop
May 14, Northwest Community Hospital; Arlington Heights, IL United States

ASGE — First Years Fellows Endoscopy Course
Aug 7 — Aug 8, Oak Brook, IL United States

ASGE — First Years Fellows Endoscopy Course
Aug 14 — Aug 15, Oak Brook, IL United States

ASGE — First Years Fellows Endoscopy Course
Aug 21 — Aug 22, Oak Brook, IL United States

ERCP Nurses Workshop
Aug 27, Northwest Community Hospital; Arlington Heights, IL United States

ASGE — First Years Fellows Endoscopy Course
Aug 28 — Aug 29, Oak Brook, IL United States

North America Sales Meeting
Sep 15 — Sep 19, Nashville, TN United States

ERCP Physician Workshop
Sep 24, Northwest Community Hospital; Arlington Heights, IL United States

ERCP Physician Workshop
Sep 30 — Oct 1, Indiana University Hospital; Indianapolis, IN United States

ACG 2010 Annual Meeting and Postgraduate Course
Oct 15 — Oct 20, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center; San Antonio, TX United States

ERCP Fellow’s Workshop
Nov 24, Northwest Community Hospital; Arlington Heights, IL United States

ERCP Nurses Workshop
Dec 2 — Dec 3, Indiana University Hospital; Indianapolis, IN United States

Resources
Olympus
OMED
Cook medical

Endoscope Maintenance

endoscopecomponent — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:36:50 +0000

Endoscopes should be checked for maintenance on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis depending on the number of scopes. Proper disinfectants and cleaning measures are critical to both – endoscope lifetime and patient safety.

Endoscope maintenance steps –

As laid down by Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associations, there are eight steps to be followed for endoscope maintenance:

As per the manufacturer’s instructions the endoscope should be pre-cleaned before an endoscope procedure. The suction channel and air and water channels should be flushed and the endoscope should be wiped with an approved enzymatic solution.
Leak test the endoscopes after every procedure and before disinfection. Most effective leak test is to immerse the scope into water and following manufacturer’s instructions.
After every procedure the endoscope should be cleaned. Ensure the proper type and amount of enzymatic solution. Fill the endoscope channels with the solution and soak for the prescribed time. Brush out the channels, clean the valve-ports; clean all valves, attachments, and the exterior of the scope.
Rinse the exterior part of endoscope thoroughly using fresh clean water.
Submerge the endoscope into disinfectant solution. Soak for prescribed time.
Once disinfected, submerge the endoscope completely into fresh water and rinse to remove any trace of disinfectant solution on the endoscope.
Endoscope channels should be washed out prescribed amount of alcohol water mixture. Wipe the exterior of the scope with a proper cloth, and dry all attachments.
Store the endoscope in a well ventilated container. Store all valves and attachments separate from the scope.

Endoscope repair circumstances:
An endoscope requires repairs in below circumstances:

In case of fluid invasion. In this situation a video scope might start taking pictures by itself or does not take pictures at all.
If the fiber optic scope is cloudy or foggy.
Poor light transmission or color fluctuation in the video image
Congestion or friction when passing a brush through the biopsy and/or suction channel.
Rough edges, sharp nozzles and cracking/deteriorating glue as this can cause a significant risk to patient’s safety.

Please note: Scopes should be used and maintained according to OEM specifications. Have a dedicated cleaning personnel who can perform proper cleaning and disinfectant procedures as described by the OEM, there by reducing repair bills.

New Advances in Endoscopic Technology

endoscopecomponent — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:25:18 +0000

The advent of fiber optics planted the seed that has grown into revolutionary methods of both diagnosis and treatment that are known as endoscopic technology. As early as the nineteenth century physicians began to peer into body cavities with small light sources in an effort to eliminate the need for a large incision to make a diagnosis. Once fiber optic scopes became available in the mid twentieth century light could be channeled to many more areas of the body. More recently with the addition of cameras to allow both visualization and photography, teams of endoscopists are able to perform complex surgical procedures that would previously have required a large incision.

One of the most common organ systems to be visualized by endoscopy is the gastrointestinal tract. Upper endoscopy includes inspection of the esophagus, stomach and upper portion of the small intestine. Lower endoscopy or colonoscopy is the inspection of the large intestine or colon. The routine nature of this procedure has become a mainstay in the early diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer. Another procedure that is currently done routinely by endoscopy is a cholecystectomy or the removal of the gallbladder. This minimally invasive procedure can now be done on an outpatient basis shortening the recovery time from weeks to days and minimizing the pain of the procedure.

Many medical specialties utilize endoscopy. From the largneoscopy or inspection of the upper airways including the vocal cords, that can be accomplish easily with local anesthesia to arthroscopy or inspection and even surgery on various joints under general anesthesia, surgical subspecialist have become masters of the tools developed for diagnosis and treatment of various disorders. Even pregnant women undergo treatment of intrauterine conditions in pregnancy such as twin-twin transfusion syndrome through an amnioscope inserted into the pregnant uterus.

Laparoscopy or inspection and surgery in the abdominal or pelvic cavity provide new ways of treating infertility and performing hysterectomy. Bariatric surgery can now be preformed through a laparoscope shortening the recovery time and reducing the cost of these weight loss procedures to make them more affordable to patients and third part payer insurance companies. Bronchoscopy enables pulmonologist, physicians who treat lung disease to visualize and collect specimens for accurate diagnosis of lung diseases. Thoracoscopy is used by surgeons to operate on diseased lungs without the need for a large incision. In short, there is no area of the body that cannot be reached by a scope for diagnostic purposes. Many times reparative procedures can also be preformed once the diagnosis has been made. Tools such as cartery, LASER, and robotics can be employed to aid in treatment.

The ability to bend the fiber optic light source along with photographic equipment to make visualization of otherwise remote areas of the body visible has allowed remarkable progress in the field of endoscopy. From a simple diagnostic procedure to life saving surgery endoscopy technology has changed the practice of medicine

For more infomation on endoscopy products please see www.endoscopecomponent.com

Oral Sodium Phosphate and Possible Link to Renal Injury

endoscopecomponent — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:43:39 +0000

The FDA recently released a warning about a possible tie between oral sodium phosphate bowel preparation products and kidney damage.

Some of the products that have either had a warning added or are being recalled include

Pharmaceutical Products

Visicol
OsmoPrep – Black box warning

Over the counter products

Fleet Phospho-soda (C.B. Fleet)
Fleet Phospho-soda EZ

Published by www.endoscopecomponent.com

Peanut Company Employees Forced to Ship Tainted Products

endoscopecomponent — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:34:33 +0000

Another shocker from the Peanut Corp of America

The House Panel has disclosed information from internal emails from the owner of Peanut Corp of America which are frankly quite shocking.

The emails show that Peanut Corp of America owner Stewart Parnell knew that his shipments where tainted with salmonella but ordered them to be sent out anyway to prevent profit loss.

Parnell was ordered to testify in front of the house panel today to discuss his role in the salmonella and to find out who is responsible for the outbreak that to date has resulted in 600 illnesses and eight deaths.

Published by www.endoscopecomponent.com

More Norovirus Cases Discovered in North Carolina

endoscopecomponent — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:53:25 +0000

North Carolina’s Division of Public Health has announced that it has seen further increase in Norovirus outbreaks throughout the state since the first outbreak in November of 2008. Most outbreaks have occurred at catering services, restaurants, day care centers, schools, hospitals and nursing homes.

The most common symptoms of Norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramping, low fever, chills, headache or muscle aches.

The Norovirus is very easy to transmit so the division of public health has offered these suggestions on preventing the spread of this vicious virus

If you have experienced any of the above noted systems such as diarrhea and/or vomiting you should avoid going to work or school.
Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after vomiting or having diarrhea.
If you are ill with vomiting or diarrhea you should not prepare food for others.

For more information and specifics about the norovirus please visit http://www.cdc.gov

Published by www.endoscopecomponent.com

Welcome

endoscopecomponent — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:35:31 +0000

Welcome to the official blog of Endoscope Precision Parts, LLC. Keep yourself up to date with new Endoscopy and Gastroenterology news.