• Reusable Bottles
    •
  • Structure for Reusable Water Bottle
    •
  • Reprocessing Water Bottles
    •
  • Hospital Reference List
    •
  • Expert Comments on Water Bottle Use in Endoscopy
    •
  • Cost of Cleaning & Reprocessing a Reusable Water Bottle
    •
  • Sample Cost per Patient
    •


    Methods of Reprocessing Water Bottles

    There are four methods of reprocessing the reusable water bottles. Each of these is hazardous if not performed properly.

    1. Soaking in Glutaraldhyde

    High level disinfecting cannot be achieved without the cleaning adapter. The adapter fits onto the end of the water bottle tube to allow the glutaraldehyde to penetrate both tubes (Fig. 5). The cleaning adapter is also used to flush out the disinfectant with sterile water after the disinfecting process.

    Without the adapter, the glutaraldehyde seeps into the air-feed tube through the space in the bottom of the cap (Fig. 6) but does not fully penetrate the channel. Therefore, high level dissinfection is not achieved. More important, the glutaraldehyde is trapped within the air-feed tube.

    The problem happens when the water bottle is used for the next patient. The air travels through the air-feed tube and forces the trapped chemical down into the sterile water and possibly into the patient. You can see how important it is to correctly use the cleaning adapter.

     

     

    2. Steris®

    Steris® does not suggest reprocessing the water bottles in their own units. However, some hospitals do and they run the same risk of the trapped chemicals in the air-feed tube being forced into the sterile water and passed into the patient.

    3. EtO (Gas Sterilization)

    This method of sterilization is the most hazardous to the patient. Part of the reprocessing is the manual cleaning in a cleaning solution and water. The water seeps into the air-feed tube (just like before) and is trapped there. Any moisture mixes with the ethylenoxide in the EtO sterilizer creates a chemical called ethylene glycol,(antifreeze). That chemical can remain trapped in the air-feed tube and passed into the patient.

    4. Steam Sterilization

    This is the safest and most effective method of reprocessing reusable water bottles. However, without the cleaning adapter on the water bottle tubing, it is not effective. The adapter opens the spring-loaded tip on the tubing section to allow the steam to penetrate through both channels of the tubing section.

    In contrast to these four major reprocessing procedures, using the ENDO SMARTCAP™ is not only convenient but valuable. The ENDO SMARTCAP™ is the best solution to a dangerous problem.


    Home Products Instructions Reusable vs. Disposable FAQ Contact Reps

    ©2005 Byrne Medical, Inc.