ABSTRACT
Reusable products should be designed to facilitate easy and effective cleaning, sterilization, and/or disinfection. Accordingly, manufacturers of reusable devices should ensure that devices facilitate easy and effective cleaning, as well as any necessary disinfection or sterilization. Perhaps the biggest risk associated with things becoming dirty is exposure to chemical and/or biological agents. That’s why the food and medical industries have standards for cleanliness and even sterility. Easy cleaning should also be a priority in the food industry. Restaurants and establishments serving a high volume of customers typically use several devices to help expedite food prep in the kitchen. Sobering to those who have undergone or will undergo a related examination, the US Food and Drug Administration compelled manufacturers of minimally invasive devices, such as duodenoscopes, to develop designs and cleaning procedures to prevent cross-patient contamination.
