Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) Practice Exam

Keeping instruments submerged is essential for ensuring the effectiveness of manual high-level disinfection. High-level disinfectants require adequate contact time with the surfaces of the instruments to effectively kill pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and some spores. If the instruments are not completely submerged, areas may be left unexposed to the disinfectant, rendering that portion of the instrument potentially contaminated.

Submersion ensures that all surfaces receive the necessary exposure to the disinfectant, which is critical for achieving a high level of disinfection. The disinfectant works through its chemical properties, and for it to be effective, it must properly contact all surfaces of the instruments.

While temperature and other factors can influence the efficacy of disinfectants, the key aspect during the process of manual disinfection is ensuring that all parts of the instruments are submerged for the full recommended duration. This practice is vital in a clinical environment to maintain patient safety and infection control protocols.