The Benefits of Regular Rigid Endoscope Audits

At Surgical Holdings, we take immense pride in ensuring that our customers have the tools and knowledge they need to care for their surgical instruments and rigid endoscopes in the best way possible. One of the critical services we offer are comprehensive audits of rigid scopes for hospitals – a crucial step in maintaining high standards of patient safety and instrument quality.

Why regular audits are important

Rigid endoscopes are vital tools in endoscopic surgery, and their quality directly impacts patient outcomes. Regular audits of these instruments are essential to identify any issues that might compromise their functionality. Our audits provide hospitals with a detailed overview of the current condition of their rigid scope inventory, highlighting any damage or faults and offering practical solutions for repair and maintenance.

What our audits cover

Our audits are thorough and tailored to the customer’s needs. A local representative visits the hospital to audit all or a sample of their rigid scopes. We identify any damage or faults, create a detailed report, and suggest repairs or replacements. This report includes potential cost savings, trends in damage, and an overall assessment of the current condition of the scopes. We recommend conducting an audit every 6-12 months to ensure optimal performance and safety.

Benefits of our audits

• Comprehensive overview: Our audits give hospitals a clear picture of their rigid endoscope inventory’s condition.
• Preventative maintenance: Identifying minor damage early prevents further deterioration, saving costs in the long run.
• Operational efficiency: Ensuring all rigid endoscopes are in full working order ensures optimal performance whilst avoiding unnecessary delays or cancellations of surgeries.
• Patient safety: The ultimate benefit is enhanced patient safety through the use of well-maintained, high-quality instruments.

Case studies: real-world impact

Hospital 1

In our audit at Hospital 1, we selected 20 rigid scopes at random to assess their condition. The results were concerning: 75% of the scopes required repair or service. A significant trend emerged, with distal tip damage and coating damage to the distal window reducing image quality. This type of damage was evident in 50% of the scopes inspected. The causes of these issues were identified as user damage and chemical cleaning processes. Fortunately, 70% of the required repairs were minor and could be carried out efficiently to get the scopes back up and running.  

However, we did encounter two rigid scopes that were unusable due to no image and a receding shaft, requiring major repairs. The audit revealed a high quantity of scopes in poor condition, indicating the potential for substantial cost implications if this trend was consistent across all scopes on site. Our estimates for full repair of all 15 scopes, including an 18-month warranty, offered a minimum saving of 55%, amounting to £8,475 compared to OEM repair replacement offer.

Hospital 2

At Hospital 2, we audited 36 rigid scopes from the main theatre inventory. The findings were similar: 70% of the scopes needed repair or service. Moisture ingress and coating damage to the distal window were common issues, again affecting 50% of the scopes. This damages was likely due to user handling and the cleaning processes employed.

Of the 21 damaged scopes, 15 required only minor repairs, while 6 needed major repairs. One scope was completely unusable due to a broken lens and bent shaft. The estimated savings for full repair of all 21 scopes were substantial, with a minimum saving of 55%, amounting to £11,705 versus OEM replacement offer.

Many of the damaged rigid scopes were of small diameter, likely due to user handling, especially with arthroscopes and cystoscopes given the nature of their procedures. As this can be a recurring issue, replacing these scopes with new is expensive and unnecessary.

The importance of quality

These case studies really highlight just how essential it is to have your rigid endoscopes regularly audited. Regular auditing helps verify that they meet quality standards and function as intended. By catching these problems early, hospitals can avoid serious damage, save money, and keep their surgical tools in top shape so that they are safe to use on patients.

At Surgical Holdings, we understand this importance deeply. With over 35 years of experience, we know what to look for and how to ensure the highest quality in our repairs. Our expert technicians are trained to both manufacture and repair instruments, providing them with a unique perspective on maintaining exceptional standards.

Especially in today’s landscape, where hospitals and services are overstretched and grappling with rising costs, opting for repairs over replacements is a sustainable and financially viable option. An audit is the first step towards this, allowing us to identify issues early and address them efficiently.

Training and education

At Surgical Holdings, we believe that taking care of your surgical instruments and rigid endoscopes is not just about fixing what’s broken – it’s about preventing issues before they arise and ensuring the utmost safety for your patients. We are dedicated to providing ongoing training and education to healthcare professionals. This ensures that staff are well-equipped to maintain their instruments, extending their lifespan and maintaining high standards of care.

Want to learn more?

If you’re interested in learning more about our rigid endoscope audit services and how they can benefit your hospital, check out our scope repairs page.

We also always encourage our customers to visit us at our UK-based facility in the city of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. We have an open-door policy and welcome all our customers at any time! Contact me directly for more info.