Your FREE CER Flashcards 2026 – 100+ Cards

Ranks devices by infection risk: critical (sterilize), semicritical (high-level disinfect minimum), noncritical (low/intermediate disinfect).

A device that contacts intact mucous membranes or non-intact skin but not sterile tissue — e.g., a flexible GI endoscope; needs high-level disinfection at minimum.

A device that enters sterile tissue or the vascular system; must be sterilized.

A device or surface that contacts only intact skin (e.g., a reprocessing countertop); needs low- or intermediate-level disinfection.

Sterilization destroys all microbial life including spores; disinfection eliminates most pathogens but may not destroy large numbers of spores.

A dormant, highly resistant survival structure (Bacillus, Clostridioides) that resists heat, chemicals, and drying — the most resistant to chemical inactivation.

A community of microbes embedded in a self-produced protective matrix on a surface; it shields organisms from disinfectants, so it must be prevented by prompt cleaning.

The number of viable microorganisms on a device before reprocessing; thorough cleaning lowers it so disinfection can succeed.

A measure of how much the microbial population drops after a process; each log = a 10-fold reduction.

Infection-control practices applied to all patients — treat all blood and body fluids as infectious and wear appropriate PPE.

Six linked elements (agent, reservoir, portal of exit, transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host) that must all connect for infection to spread.

Organisms with a waxy, lipid-rich cell wall that resists disinfectant penetration; HLD agents are timed to achieve mycobactericidal kill.

Periodic culturing of reprocessed scopes to monitor whether the reprocessing protocol is removing microbial contamination.

Its recessed elevator and tight crevices trap soil and shield microbes, making it the hardest GI scope to clean.

A disinfectant's ability to kill bacterial spores; required when a scope was exposed to spore-forming organisms such as Clostridioides difficile.

Enhanced processing for devices possibly exposed to prions (e.g., CJD), because prions resist standard disinfection and sterilization.

A normally harmless organism that can cause disease in a vulnerable patient — a reason reprocessing reduces ALL microbes, not just known pathogens.

The long flexible shaft advanced into the patient; it carries the channels and the imaging bundle to the distal tip.

The handle section housing the angulation knobs and the seats for the suction and air/water valves, plus the working-channel entry.

The articulating segment just behind the distal tip that steers the tip up, down, left, and right under control-knob tension.

The lumen through which accessories pass and suction is applied; heavily contaminated, it must be brushed along its full length.

Delivers air to insufflate the lumen and water to rinse the distal lens during a procedure; separate from the working channel.

A movable mechanism at the distal tip of a duodenoscope that aims accessories; its recess traps soil and needs special cleaning per IFU.

A side-viewing flexible endoscope with an elevator at the distal tip, used mainly for ERCP.

A colonoscope is longer to traverse the large intestine; a gastroscope is shorter for the upper GI tract — both forward-viewing.

Uses a camera (image sensor) at the distal tip to convert optical images to electronic signals, vs. a fiberoptic scope's optical-fiber bundle.

The end of the scope holding the objective lens, light-guide lens(es), air/water nozzle, and the working/suction channel opening.

Air/water valve, suction valve, and biopsy-port cap — removed and separately cleaned, then processed per their own IFU.

Varies by model (air/water, suction/working, auxiliary water, elevator), so reprocessing must follow the model-specific IFU.

The small opening at the distal tip that sprays water to clean the lens and delivers air; flushed and cleaned because debris blocks it.

The fiber pathway that carries illumination from the light source to the distal tip of the scope.

A separate forward-jet channel on some scopes that irrigates the mucosa; it must be identified and flushed during reprocessing per IFU.

Scopes move one way — soiled receipt → cleaning → disinfection → drying → storage — and never travel back against the dirty-to-clean current.

Kept at negative pressure so air flows inward, containing aerosols and chemical vapors generated during cleaning.

Kept at positive pressure relative to adjacent spaces so contaminated air cannot infiltrate the disinfection/packaging area.

A minimum of 6 total air changes per hour (ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE 170, referenced by ST91).

A minimum of 4 total air changes per hour (ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE 170).

Processing areas are kept at a maximum of 60% relative humidity to discourage microbial growth and condensation.

60–73°F (about 16–23°C) per ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170, as directed by ST91.

ST91's ideal: three sinks dedicated to leak testing, manual cleaning, and critical rinsing.

ST91 prefers separate decontamination and HLD rooms; a pass-through window is used when only one room is feasible.

Must be reachable within about 10 seconds of unobstructed travel from the cleaning area, because irritant chemicals can splash the eyes.

Storage cabinets are sited at least 3 feet from any sink to protect dry scopes from splash and aerosol contamination.

The primary standard for flexible and semi-rigid endoscope processing in health care facilities (2021 edition).

Routine checks of the processing area's air quality (e.g., particulate, airflow) to confirm the HVAC design keeps performing.

A closable window used in single-room processing areas to move items from the dirty side to the clean side while maintaining separation.

Disinfectants and detergents are kept in ventilated, labeled cabinets to control vapors and prevent reactions.

Point-of-use (bedside) treatment → leak test → manual cleaning → high-level disinfection (or sterilization) → drying → storage (ANSI/AAMI ST91).

Bedside pre-cleaning right after the procedure — wipe the insertion tube and flush channels — so soil stays moist and does not dry into biofilm.

A pressurized check for breaches in a scope's fluid-tight barrier, done before immersion; angulate the bending section and watch for a continuous stream of bubbles.

Brushing every accessible channel and flushing with enzymatic detergent to remove organic soil before disinfection; the most critical, non-skippable step.

A cleaner whose enzymes break down blood, mucus, and protein; generally not antimicrobial, so it is freshly prepared and discarded after each scope.

A process that destroys all microorganisms except large numbers of bacterial spores — the minimum for semicritical flexible endoscopes.

A high-level disinfectant that usually must be activated and concentration-verified before use; vapors irritate eyes and airways, so it needs ventilation and a covered basin.

A high-level disinfectant (0.55%) that needs no activation, has a shorter contact time, and causes less respiratory irritation than glutaraldehyde.

A sporicidal liquid chemical agent used for high-level disinfection or liquid chemical sterilization; processed scopes are used promptly (no sterile packaging).

The lowest concentration at which a reusable high-level disinfectant still works; verified before each use with a test strip — the MEC result, not the date, governs use.

The validated exposure time at the labeled concentration and temperature that achieves the disinfectant's claimed microbial kill; it must be observed exactly per IFU.

Rinsing with sterile or bacteria-free filtered water (often a 0.1–0.2 micron filter) to remove disinfectant residue that could injure mucosa.

Drying channels with pressure-regulated instrument-grade or HEPA-filtered air for at least 10 minutes; residual moisture lets waterborne bacteria multiply.

A machine that automates disinfectant exposure, rinsing, and channel perfusion with documented parameters — but manual cleaning must still be done first.

Using a thin lighted scope to look inside channels for retained soil, scratches, or peeling coating that surface inspection cannot reveal; failures go back for reprocessing or repair.

Lighted-magnification check before disinfection; any residual soil or moisture means cleaning is incomplete and the scope is re-cleaned.

A correctly sized single-use brush passed fully through a lumen until bristles exit clean; discarded after one scope and removed from service if frayed.

EO or vaporized hydrogen peroxide used for heat- and moisture-sensitive flexible endoscopes instead of steam, which would damage them.

Effective for heat-sensitive scopes but requires a lengthy aeration period to drive off toxic residual gas before the device is safe to use.

Final-rinse water that is sterile or bacteria-free filtered (often 0.1–0.2 micron) so waterborne organisms are not reintroduced after HLD.

Purging trapped air from channels during manual HLD so the disinfectant contacts every internal surface for the full contact time.

Following the IFU when a scope cannot be cleaned promptly (e.g., keeping soil moist) and documenting the delay, since dried soil is far harder to remove.

A cleaning-verification method that measures residual organic material (ATP) on a scope as an indicator of cleaning efficacy.

Objective post-cleaning tests (e.g., ATP, protein, or borescope checks) confirming soil was removed before disinfection.

A waterborne organism that thrives in moisture and biofilm — classically linked to inadequately dried scopes and contaminated rinse water.

A terminally sterilized, packaged scope stays ready for use as long as the sterile barrier is intact and storage conditions hold — not a fixed expiry date.

Stores HLD scopes hanging vertically, distal tip down, in HEPA-filtered circulating air; an active cabinet also force-dries channels.

Scopes hang straight and free (not coiled, not touching walls/neighbors) so channels drain and air-dry and surfaces are not abraded.

A rigid, closed, leak-proof, puncture-resistant, biohazard-labeled container; reprocessed before it can carry a clean scope.

An HLD scope hangs unwrapped in the cabinet; a terminally sterilized scope is kept inside its intact sterile barrier package.

The longest a processed scope may be stored before reprocessing, set by a facility multidisciplinary risk assessment (transport and storage conditions are inputs).

Removed from service for functionality and damage assessment before any further use, since damage can harbor microbes or indicate a breach.

The cabinet must hold the full extended scope length; if too short, the tip rests on the floor, trapping moisture and risking damage.

A scope removed from the cabinet, brought into a room, and handled (even if the case is canceled) must be reprocessed before storage or use.

The insertion tube and umbilicus are laid in wide, loose loops without sharp kinks to protect internal channels and fiber bundles.

Hanging the tip down and free in storage and using tip protectors in transport so the delicate optics and channels are not damaged.

Routine, documented cleaning and HEPA-filter service of storage cabinets, since dust and overdue filters can recontaminate stored scopes.

Linking each specific scope to the patient, procedure, reprocessing method/equipment, and staff member — so a lookback/recall can identify exposed patients.

A per-scope identifier (not just model number) that distinguishes identical scopes when investigating use, reprocessing, repairs, and recalls.

Identifying every patient exposed to a particular scope during a defined window when a reprocessing or HLD failure is later discovered.

Proactive, manufacturer-specified servicing and inspection at defined intervals to catch wear before failures occur — vs. reactive repair.

Recommended by ST91, but the individual facility sets the frequency as part of its quality program.

Log the repair, then reprocess and leak test the scope per IFU before it re-enters clinical use.

A borrowed scope is logged under a unique identifier with full reprocessing and patient-use records, just like an owned scope.

A post-reprocessing test confirming the scope's components operate correctly and it is safe for patient use before storage.

Radio-frequency tags that auto-document a scope's usage and reprocessing history, reducing manual documentation errors.

A documented record of each scope's repairs, maintenance, and usage supporting quality control and regulatory compliance.

How workload, fatigue, interruptions, design, and culture affect a technician's ability to perform every reprocessing step correctly.

The demand on working memory during a long sequential task; overload increases the chance of skipping a step such as channel brushing.

Reduced vigilance late in a shift that leads to skipped or rushed steps, leaving residual soil or inadequate disinfection on a patient-ready scope.

Phone calls and foot traffic that cause a technician to lose place in the step sequence; controlled with distraction-free zones and a float staffer.

Documented, hands-on assessment for each specific scope make/model and its connectors and cleaning-verification procedures — not a generic sign-off.

Responding to an error by correcting the system conditions that allowed it while coaching the individual, supporting honest near-miss reporting.

Step-by-step visual instructions at the sink that lower memory demand by giving in-context cues for each step.

Throughput demands that exceed what careful processing allows, pushing staff to shortcut time-dependent steps.

Consistent component names and unambiguous steps that reduce confusion and inconsistent technique across documents and staff.

An independent second-person verification of critical steps (brushing, inspection) to catch individual slips before they reach the patient.

Adjustable-height sinks, anti-fatigue mats, and good lighting/magnification that reduce musculoskeletal strain and support detail-critical visual tasks.

Honestly completing and signing reprocessing documentation, including self-reporting near-misses, within a non-punitive culture.