Q: What should be the dimensions of the sink when you use manual cleaning of the endoscope? -- Sharon CameronA: According to AAMI's Comprehensive Guide to Steam Sterilization and Sterility Assurance in Health Care Facilities; ST-79 [2006], "An ideal decontamination sink is approximately 36 inches from the floor and eight to 10 inches deep, enabling a person of average size ...

Q: What are the standards for housekeeping between endoscopy patients?A:As recommended by the Society for Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates Inc. (SGNA), Standards of Infection Control in Reprocessing of Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopes (2005), to prevent cross-contamination in an endoscopic procedure room, most areas of the room should be designated as clean areas. Contaminated areas where accessories and specimens are handled should ...

Q: Are there any articles related to RNs as the first assist during a PEG insertion? A: First, be sure to refer to your state board of nursing to ensure that the PEG insertion falls within the scope of practice for an RN in your state. If it does, refer to SGNA’s position statement, “The Role of the Nurse/Associate ...

Q: I am the nurse manager of a small OR, and we will soon open one endoscopy room. I have been searching for documentation regarding standards for housekeeping between endoscopy patients. Where can I find these standards?    A: As recommended by the Society for Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates Inc. (SGNA) “Standards of Infection Control in Reprocessing of Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopes” (2005), ...

Q: I am interested in knowing how endoscopy units figure their FTEs (full-time employees). Is there a national benchmark or calculation that other endoscopy areas use to budget their FTEs? Our unit's setting is in a hospital. We perform approximately 350 GI and bronchoscopy procedures a month on inpatients and outpatients. I have 11.5 FTEs (which includes me): two ...