Running a successful endoscopy unit requires you to invest in the right equipment.
There are plenty of storage solutions available to address these needs. How to select among them?
With high-quality equipment that suits the needs of your endoscopy unit, you can ensure the best patient outcomes, high patient satisfaction, and a strong reputation.
Part of your equipment includes your storage, display, and transportation cabinets. Having well-organized cabinets makes it easier for your staff to find the equipment, tools, and documents they need when performing endoscopy procedures.
It also maintains a tidy and safe environment for patients, preventing trips, falls, injuries, and spillages.
There are several kinds of cabinets you might need to run a successful endoscopy unit. We have discussed the four main types below, all of which you can purchase from a reputable healthcare brand like InnerSpace.
Stainless Steel Cabinets
Stainless steel cabinets are a staple in endoscopy units. They are durable, corrosion-resistant, and not prone to wear and tear.
These cabinets can safely store all the processed endoscopes between procedures.
They contain a HEPA filtration system that is 99.99% efficient to 0.3 microns, exceeding AORN scope storage recommendations.
It’s easy to rid stainless steel of potentially harmful pathogens, enabling you to maintain a sterile environment and contamination-free equipment.
Stainless steel is also quick to wipe down and keep sparkling new, ensuring your endoscopy unit looks clean and professional.
You can store a wide variety of endoscopy equipment in stainless steel cabinets, including endoscopic devices, cleaning tools, and personal protective equipment (PPE). It comes in different sizes to accommodate all sizes of endoscopes.
Scope Cabinets
Endoscope storage solutions are specifically designed to protect, secure, and organize scopes and ensure that they are safe and clean.
You will need scope cabinets to store ENT scopes, bronchoscopes, and other small scopes and protect your endoscopy scopes (endoscopes) when your staff isn’t using them.
Statistics:
In 2023, the global endoscopy devices market size was valued at USD 54.4 billion. This is further predicted to expand at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2024 to 2030.
These specialized cabinets keep endoscopes safe and sterile by minimizing the risk of physical damage, contamination, or exposure to airborne particles.
They have compartments, shelves, and hangers designed to fit endoscopes securely inside.
Scope cabinets often have built-in ventilation systems that maintain good airflow around the stored endoscopy tools.
They also tend to have humidity control features that prevent the build-up of moisture and mold inside the units, which are vital for maintaining the integrity and functionality of your equipment.
Moreover, it plays a significant role in identifying scope locations, storage times, channel availability, and lengths of time before it expires.
Transportation Cabinets
Your staff might need to transport endoscopy equipment to and from different areas within the unit. For safe transportation of expensive endoscopy tools and devices, you’ll need to invest in well-made transportation cabinets.
This type of cabinet is manufactured with safety as a top priority and often comes with absorbent padding that entraps liquid and reduces leaking fluids during transport.
Transportation cabinets prevent damage to equipment during transit thanks to containing shock-absorbent materials and having secure locking mechanisms.
A flexible drape converts from a table cover to a transport pad and an adhesive strip seals away contaminated endoscope. They reinforced handles to provide added strength when transporting ones.
They are often made with easy-to-clean materials to ensure a safe and sterile environment. However, it offers an inexpensive option for protection
Documentation Cabinets
Each endoscopy room has equipment used for storage. You’ll need cabinets to store physical patient notes.
Even if you rely on digital medical records for the most part, you’ll likely need some paper documentation, such as patient information leaflets and informed consent forms.
Documentation cabinets enable you to keep your paperwork nice and organized. It will make less hassle during processes and can efficiently streamline the process.
They enable your staff to find patient notes quickly and easily before pre-operative assessments or endoscopy procedures. Well-organized documentation is also central to maintaining regulatory compliance.
To Wrap Up
Proper storage of endoscopes is vital to safeguard them from contamination and damage and to promote proper drying.
Also, it is advisable to clean those cabinets periodically. Facilities are responsible for maintaining a record of their cleaning schedule and know when maintenance of cabinets is approaching.
Cabinets must accommodate each scope’s size before storage. For instance, some scopes might be too long for specific cabinets. Thus, cabinets are indispensable in preventing the proliferating of organisms when properly used and regularly maintained.
In the end, endoscopy units must be efficient while delivering quality care to their patients. Adequate and well-trained staff, efficiency, and quality must coexist to foster a “win-win” situation for patients, physicians, and payors.
