Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) Practice Exam

Addressing visible bioburden on endoscopes before disinfection is crucial to guaranteeing that high-level disinfection is effective. Visible bioburden, which includes any organic material like blood, tissue, or other biological contaminants, can shield microorganisms from the disinfecting agents used during the reprocessing procedure. If this bioburden is not thoroughly cleaned and removed, it can hinder the ability of the disinfectant to penetrate and effectively kill harmful pathogens. High-level disinfection is intended to eliminate all microorganisms except large numbers of bacterial spores, and this can only be achieved if the surfaces of the endoscope are free of bioburden. Therefore, proper cleaning before disinfection is paramount in ensuring patient safety and preventing infection transmission.