AER validation, SOP development and compliance
Scope, project management & OEM documentation
Biomedical & IT teams deployed nationwide
Dedicated service desk for Nigerian facilities
Endoscopy Reprocessing Validation is the documented procedure for obtaining, recording, and interpreting the results needed to show that a reprocessing process for endoscopes consistently yields a sterile or high-level disinfected product. Your hospital needs this service to prevent patient cross-infection, comply with healthcare standards, protect your expensive endoscopes like the Olympus EVIS EXERA III series from damage, and provide auditable proof of quality for accreditation bodies or donor-funded programs. This service is critical for any facility performing endoscopy, from large federal teaching hospitals in Lagos and Abuja to specialized private clinics in Port Harcourt and NGO-supported centres in the North. It directly addresses the significant risk of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) linked to improperly reprocessed medical devices, a major pain point for clinical governance and patient safety officers.
Ad-hoc, one-time validation services cost between NGN 450,000 and NGN 900,000 per Automated Endoscope Reprocessor (AER) unit, while bundled annual contracts that include preventive maintenance (PM) start from NGN 1,200,000 to NGN 3,500,000. A full turnkey service that includes staff training, consumables management, and compliance reporting can range from NGN 4,000,000 upwards annually. The final price depends on the complexity of your setup—validating a single Medivators Advantage Plus AER is different from a suite with multiple Olympus OER-Pro units and a complex water filtration system. Other cost drivers include the number and type of endoscopes (e.g., gastroscopes, colonoscopes, bronchoscopes), the depth of microbiological testing required, travel logistics to your facility outside major hubs like Lagos or Abuja, the urgency of the request, and the level of documentation needed for international accreditation or donor reporting (e.g., for a USAID-funded program).
Contact Franance to get a detailed quote based on your specific equipment and facility needs.
The minimum cost for a basic validation check is between NGN 250,000 and NGN 400,000 per visit, but this typically excludes critical components. Such a low-cost service often omits independent microbiological sample analysis from an accredited lab, provides only a basic pass/fail checklist instead of a detailed validation report, and uses non-calibrated test equipment. You'll likely face hidden costs like separate billing for travel, consumables, and any minor adjustments. The biggest risk is a false sense of security; the "validation" may not be robust enough to withstand an audit from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) or prove due diligence in the event of a patient infection incident. Response times for any follow-up questions are often slow, and there is no warranty on the service provided.
A cheap service that doesn't guarantee patient safety is the most expensive mistake you can make.
A value-optimized bundle for ongoing validation and maintenance support typically costs between NGN 1,200,000 and NGN 3,500,000 annually per facility. This approach provides affordability through efficiency and risk reduction, not by cutting corners. Instead of paying high ad-hoc rates, a bundled service plans validation activities alongside scheduled preventive maintenance. This model often includes remote triage via phone or video call to resolve minor issues without a site visit, reducing downtime. You benefit from predictable budgeting, consistent service quality, and a documented history of compliance, which is invaluable for accreditation and managing your operational risks. Franance bundles services by creating scheduled routes for our engineers, allowing us to serve multiple facilities in a region like the South-East from our Port Harcourt hub, which significantly lowers the cost for each hospital.
Choose a bundled service for predictable costs and guaranteed compliance.
An Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) for an AER and its associated scopes typically ranges from NGN 1,500,000 to NGN 4,000,000, covering labour for preventive maintenance and validation, but excluding the cost of spare parts. A Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC), which includes labour and most spare parts, costs between NGN 3,000,000 and NGN 7,000,000 annually. The CMC offers better budget predictability and incentivizes the provider to maintain high uptime, as they bear the cost of failures. An AMC is lower cost upfront but exposes you to unpredictable, often high, expenses for parts like pumps or sensors. For a facility with older equipment like a Pentax Medical AER, a CMC is often the wiser investment to cap financial risk.
| Feature | Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) | Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | NGN 1.5M - 4M | NGN 3M - 7M |
| Labour | Included for PM & Validation | Included for all visits |
| Spare Parts | Excluded (Billed separately) | Included (except specified consumables) |
| Uptime Guarantee | Lower; dependent on your approval of parts cost | Higher; provider is incentivized to prevent failure |
| Cash Flow | Unpredictable | Predictable (Fixed annual cost) |
| Best For | Newer equipment, lower-risk environments | Older equipment, critical high-volume units |
A CMC provides peace of mind and aligns the provider's goals with your need for maximum uptime.
Contact Franance today for a comprehensive, no-obligation quote tailored to your facility's specific Endoscopy Reprocessing Validation and maintenance needs.
You can find qualified providers primarily based in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, but reputable firms offer nationwide coverage, leveraging logistics to serve facilities in Kano, Enugu, Kaduna, and other states. The selection process should go beyond a simple web search. You must perform due diligence to verify their technical capacity and corporate legitimacy. Insist on seeing their Certificate of Incorporation from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with a valid RC number. Ask for proof of OEM training or certification for their engineers on your specific equipment, whether it's an Olympus, Pentax, or Medivators system. Request references from other hospitals, particularly those with a similar profile to yours (e.g., a private hospital asking for a reference from another private hospital). Franance simplifies this by providing a complete verification file upfront, including our CAC documents, OEM certifications, and relevant case studies.
Partner with a verified and technically competent provider to protect your patients and your investment.
Franance provides nationwide, OEM-certified Endoscopy Reprocessing Validation, covering equipment from major brands like Olympus, Pentax, and Medivators. Our service is built on a foundation of verifiable technical expertise, transparent processes, and a commitment to meeting both local and international standards. We operate from service hubs in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, enabling us to efficiently reach facilities across all geopolitical zones. Our engineers are not just locally trained; they hold certifications directly from manufacturers, ensuring they understand the specific technical requirements of your high-value assets. We provide a complete documentation package with every validation, sufficient for any hospital accreditation or donor audit.
The best providers are those who can demonstrate a combination of certified technical expertise, a robust and transparent methodology, and a proven track record with facilities similar to yours. Look beyond marketing claims and evaluate providers based on concrete criteria. The top firms, like Franance, have a portfolio of experience across teaching hospitals, large private medical centres, and NGO-run clinics. They invest in their engineers with continuous OEM training and equip them with high-quality, calibrated instrumentation like digital borescopes for internal channel inspection and data loggers for cycle verification. Their reporting is detailed, providing not just a pass/fail result but also the raw data, analysis, and recommendations needed for quality improvement and audit defense.
A standard Scope of Work (SOW) includes three phases: Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ), typically completed over 2-3 days per machine. The IQ phase confirms the AER is installed correctly, connected to the right utilities (especially the water supply, a common issue in Nigeria), and that all documentation is present. The OQ phase tests every function of the machine in an empty cycle—verifying alarms, cycle parameters (time, temperature, dosage), and safety features. The PQ phase is the most critical: it tests the machine with actual endoscopes or test devices, including microbiological sampling of the final rinse water and the endoscope channels to prove the process effectively kills microorganisms. The SOW must also detail the deliverables, including the final validation report and certificate.
The process follows a structured methodology based on international standards like ISO 15883, adapted for Nigerian operational realities. It begins with a pre-visit consultation to understand your specific AER (e.g., Soluscope Serie 4), endoscopes, and water source. On-site, the engineer first performs the IQ and OQ checks. For the Performance Qualification (PQ), they use a combination of chemical indicators and biological tests. This involves taking water samples from your facility’s supply and the AER's final rinse water, as well as swabbing the internal channels of reprocessed endoscopes. These samples are sent under a strict chain of custody to an accredited microbiology lab. The pass/fail thresholds are stringent: for example, the final rinse water should have a total viable count (TVC) of less than 10 CFU/100ml and be free of opportunistic pathogens. All data from temperature loggers, chemical dosage tests, and lab results are compiled into a comprehensive report that concludes whether the reprocessing cycle is validated.
Service Level Agreement (SLA) tiers for support are typically structured as: Critical (24-hour on-site response for major AER failure in Lagos/Abuja/PH, 48 hours elsewhere), Urgent (48-72 hour response for partial failures), and Routine (scheduled within 5-10 working days for non-urgent issues). A robust SLA, like the one Franance provides, goes beyond just response times. It includes uptime guarantees (e.g., 95% operational availability for the AER), penalties for non-compliance, and a clear escalation path. It should also incorporate remote triage, where an OEM-certified engineer attempts to diagnose and resolve the issue via a video call within 2-4 hours, potentially avoiding the need for a site visit and resolving the problem faster. This is crucial for managing costs and minimizing downtime.
Request a copy of Franance's industry-leading SLA, which includes a 95% uptime guarantee, financial penalties for non-performance, and real-time tracking via our client dashboard.
You will receive a comprehensive documentation package, not just a single certificate. The core deliverable is the Final Validation Report, a detailed document (often 20-30 pages) that includes the IQ, OQ, and PQ test protocols, all raw data collected, calibration certificates for the test instruments used, and the independent microbiology lab reports. You will also receive a formal Certificate of Validation, a summary document that confirms the specific AER (by serial number) passed validation according to the specified standard (e.g., ISO 15883) on a given date. This package is your auditable proof of compliance for hospital accreditation bodies, the Ministry of Health, and international partners. Franance provides all documentation in a secure digital format via our client portal, ensuring you can always access it when an auditor asks.
Compliance requires adhering to guidelines from multiple Nigerian bodies and international standards. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) sets the clinical practice standards that necessitate sterile or high-level disinfected instruments. NAFDAC regulates the chemical disinfectants and detergents used in the AER, and you must ensure they are on the approved list. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) governs equipment standards, and any new AER you import must meet SONCAP requirements. While the NNRA (Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority) is not directly involved unless ionizing radiation is used, understanding the landscape of regulatory bodies is key. The validation process itself should be executed to an international standard like ISO 15883, as this is considered best practice and is what international accreditors (like JCI or COHSASA) will look for. A proper validation certificate is your primary evidence of compliance.
Preventive maintenance (PM) should be performed bi-annually or annually, depending on equipment usage, and scheduled alongside validation to save costs. A typical PM visit lasts 4-6 hours. The engineer will follow a detailed checklist specific to your AER model, such as an Olympus OER-AW. Tasks include inspecting and cleaning all filters, checking and calibrating pumps and sensors, replacing worn-out components like gaskets and O-rings, running diagnostic cycles, and verifying all safety interlocks. All actions are recorded in a digital service report, which becomes part of the equipment's permanent history, accessible via a CMMS or client portal like the one Franance provides.
The emergency response process begins with a call to your provider's dedicated support line, where the issue is logged and triaged within 1-2 hours. For critical failures of an AER, remote diagnosis via a video call with an engineer is the first step. This can often resolve software glitches or user errors immediately. If a site visit is required, an engineer is dispatched to arrive within the SLA window (e.g., 24 hours in Lagos). The engineer arrives with a field service kit containing common parts. If a specific part is not available locally, a reputable provider like Franance will use its logistics network to source it from OEM partners in Europe or the US, managing the customs clearance process and providing a clear timeline for delivery.
Availability of genuine OEM spare parts is critical and ranges from immediate (for common items stocked locally) to 4-6 weeks (for specialized parts requiring importation). The cost of parts can be high due to shipping and customs duties. A key differentiator for a service provider is their ability to manage this supply chain effectively. Reputable providers maintain a local stock of frequently used parts like filters, gaskets, and sensors for common models like the Medivators DSD Edge. For major components, they have established relationships with OEMs and logistics partners to expedite importation and customs clearance. Always insist on genuine OEM parts to ensure compatibility and safety; using unverified third-party parts can damage your equipment and void its warranty.
Training should cover both the operators (nurses/technicians) who use the AER daily and your in-house biomedical staff who perform first-line maintenance. A typical training session lasts 2-4 hours and covers the full reprocessing workflow: pre-cleaning, leak testing, correct loading of endoscopes, cycle selection, record keeping, and basic troubleshooting. The handover process involves the service engineer walking your team through the validation report, explaining the results, and answering any questions. Competency should be verified with a short practical assessment. Franance provides role-based training and issues attendance certificates, creating a clear record for your HR and quality assurance files. Refresher training should be scheduled annually.
A Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) provides a digital record of every service activity, giving you complete visibility and control over your assets. Each AER and endoscope is tagged with a unique asset ID. Every validation, PM, and repair is logged against this ID, creating a comprehensive service history. This allows you to track key performance indicators (KPIs) like Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and Mean Time To Repair (MTTR). A provider like Franance gives you access to a client dashboard, which is a window into the CMMS. You can view upcoming service schedules, download past reports, and see the real-time status of your equipment, empowering you to make data-driven decisions about asset management and replacement.
A power audit is a systematic review to ensure your AER is protected from Nigeria's unstable power grid, which is essential as a cycle interruption can lead to a failed disinfection and potential damage to the endoscope. The process involves using a power quality analyzer to measure voltage fluctuations, frequency variations, and surges from your mains supply and generator over a 24-48 hour period. The resulting report will recommend the correct size (kVA rating) and type of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and/or voltage stabilizer needed. For a typical AER, a 3-5 kVA double-conversion online UPS is often required to provide clean, stable power and enough runtime to complete a cycle during a power outage.
The relocation process involves a coordinated effort of de-installation, specialized transport, re-installation, and re-validation, typically taking 5-7 working days and costing between NGN 800,000 and NGN 2,000,000, depending on distance and complexity. The process starts with a site survey of the new location to ensure all utility requirements (power, water, drainage) are met. The AER is then professionally dismantled, with sensitive components protected. It is transported in a dedicated vehicle to prevent damage. At the new site, it is re-installed, and a full IQ/OQ/PQ validation is performed to certify it is operating correctly in its new environment before it is cleared for clinical use.
The de-installation process for end-of-life equipment must comply with environmental and safety regulations, costing between NGN 300,000 and NGN 600,000. The process involves safely disconnecting the AER from all utilities and performing a terminal decontamination to remove any residual chemical or biological hazards. All fluids are drained and disposed of according to local environmental guidelines. If the machine contains electronic components, it must be disposed of as e-waste through a licensed handler. A formal Certificate of Decommissioning and Disposal should be provided, which serves as a chain-of-custody document proving you have disposed of the asset responsibly.
Ongoing Quality Control (QC) is a set of routine checks performed by your staff, while Performance Verification (PV) is a more in-depth check performed by a qualified engineer, usually bi-annually. Daily QC includes checking chemical levels, running a test strip for disinfectant concentration, and reviewing cycle printouts. Bi-annual PV by an engineer involves using calibrated instruments to verify critical parameters like temperature, pressure, and dosing accuracy. This data is trended over time to proactively identify when a component is beginning to fail, allowing for replacement before it causes a major breakdown. This proactive approach is a core part of a professional maintenance strategy.
Electrical safety testing should be performed annually on your AER to protect both patients and staff from electrical shock hazards. The process involves a qualified biomedical engineer using a specialized electrical safety analyzer to test parameters like earth continuity, insulation resistance, and leakage currents, according to standards like IEC 60601-1. The test takes about 30-60 minutes. After the test, a pass/fail sticker is placed on the machine with the test date and next due date. You receive a formal Electrical Safety Test Certificate, which is a critical document for hospital accreditation and internal safety audits.
The key metrics tracked are Uptime Percentage, Mean Time To Repair (MTTR), and Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF). Reports should be provided quarterly or accessible 24/7 via a digital dashboard. Uptime of at least 95% is a standard target for critical equipment like an AER. MTTR measures how quickly your provider resolves issues, with a target of under 48 hours for critical failures. MTBF indicates the reliability of the equipment. Franance provides a client dashboard where you can view these KPIs for your equipment in real-time. This data allows you, as an Operations Director or CIO, to have an objective, data-driven conversation with your provider about their performance and to plan for future capital replacement.
Payment options typically include upfront payment for ad-hoc services, or milestone-based payments for larger contracts. For an annual contract (AMC/CMC), the standard term is 50% advance payment and 50% upon completion of the first major service (like the annual validation). Some providers may require quarterly or bi-annual payments. For government and large NGO procurement, terms may include the provision of a performance bond by the vendor. Reputable providers like Franance offer more flexible options, including financing that allows you to spread the cost of a multi-year contract over your operational budget, making comprehensive service more accessible. Always ensure the payment schedule is clearly linked to specific service deliverables in the contract.
Service is available nationwide, with primary support hubs in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano. While many providers are concentrated in these cities, firms like Franance have a national service footprint. We achieve this through a combination of strategically located regional engineers and scheduled service routes. For facilities in states like Borno, Sokoto, or Bayelsa, we group service visits for multiple clients in the area into a single trip, making the service both available and cost-effective. Our remote support desk also provides immediate assistance regardless of your location, resolving many issues without the need for travel. This blended model ensures that every healthcare facility in Nigeria can access high-quality validation and maintenance services.
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A one-time validation service for a single Automated Endoscope Reprocessor (AER) in Nigeria typically costs between N350,000 and N700,000. This fee for a Medivators Advantage Plus AER covers microbiological testing, chemical concentration checks, and full documentation. Bundled annual contracts can reduce the per-validation cost by 15-20%, offering a more predictable operational expense for facilities in Lagos and Abuja.
The Statement of Work (SOW) includes visual inspection of the AER, verification of critical parameters like temperature and cycle time, and chemical concentration testing of the high-level disinfectant. It also specifies microbiological sampling from the reprocessed endoscope, such as an Olympus GIF-HQ190, and the AER itself. The final deliverable is a comprehensive report detailing all findings, test results, and compliance status, essential for audits.
The on-site validation process for an endoscopy suite takes 2 to 3 full working days. This includes observing multiple reprocessing cycles for a Pentax EG-2990i gastroscope, collecting samples for microbiological culture, and initial report drafting. The final certified report, including lab results from a partner laboratory, is typically delivered within 7-10 business days from the start of the service.
Outsourcing validation provides unbiased, third-party verification essential for accreditation, which is difficult to achieve in-house. While an in-house biomedical team can handle daily checks on an Olympus OER-Pro reprocessor, an external expert provides certified microbiological testing and process challenge device (PCD) analysis. This external report holds more weight during audits by regulatory bodies like the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Standard payment terms are typically 50% upfront to schedule the service and procure testing materials, with the remaining 50% due upon delivery of the final validation report. For larger, multi-facility contracts in cities like Port Harcourt, providers may offer more flexible terms, such as 30-day net payment schedules. Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) are usually paid quarterly or annually in advance.
Your endoscopy reprocessing workflow should be validated at least annually. However, validation is also required upon installation of a new AER like the STERIS System 1E, after major repairs, or if there is a change in the high-level disinfectant used. Quarterly validation is considered best practice for high-volume gastroenterology units to ensure consistent patient safety and compliance.
Key tests include ATP (adenosine triphosphate) bioluminescence testing for residual organic soil, microbiological cultures from scope channels and the AER, and chemical concentration tests of the disinfectant using specific test strips. For a Fujinon EG-530WR gastroscope, this means sampling the suction/biopsy channel. Water quality is also tested for bacteria and endotoxin levels to ensure it meets standards for the final rinse.
Yes, you can finance an annual validation contract through a Franance service agreement. This converts the upfront cost, for example N1.5M for a facility with three AERs, into a predictable monthly operational expense. This helps manage cash flow while ensuring your Olympus, Pentax, and Fujinon scopes are consistently validated without a large, one-time capital outlay, making compliance financially sustainable.
You will receive a comprehensive validation report binder. This includes a summary of findings, detailed checklists from the on-site assessment, calibration certificates for testing equipment used, and the official laboratory results for all microbiological samples. This documentation for your Medivators DSD Edge AER is audit-ready and serves as objective evidence of your facility's compliance with reprocessing standards.
Choose a provider with documented experience validating specific AER models like the Olympus OER-Pro or Medivators Advantage Plus. Request case studies or references from similar Nigerian hospitals, such as those in Ikeja or Victoria Island. Verify they use accredited labs for microbiological testing and that their technicians are certified. A provider with nationwide coverage ensures consistent service across all your locations.
If your system fails, the provider will issue a detailed non-conformance report identifying the exact cause, such as incorrect disinfectant concentration in your STERIS AER. They will provide a corrective action plan, which may involve staff retraining, AER recalibration, or changes to your manual cleaning process. A re-validation service is then scheduled after you have implemented the recommended changes to confirm the issue is resolved.
Yes, a comprehensive validation service evaluates the entire reprocessing workflow, starting with manual cleaning. The service includes observing staff technique, checking the correct use and dilution of enzymatic detergents, and ensuring proper brush use for channels in scopes like the Olympus CF-HQ190L colonoscope. ATP testing is often performed after manual cleaning to verify its effectiveness before high-level disinfection.
For routine annual validations, you can typically schedule a service within 1-2 weeks. For urgent requests, such as post-repair validation for a critical AER in a Lagos teaching hospital, providers can often dispatch a team within 48-72 hours. Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for contract clients guarantee specific response times, ensuring minimal downtime for your endoscopy unit.
Yes, providers offer tiered packages. A basic package may only cover the AER validation and microbiological testing. A comprehensive package would include manual cleaning assessment, staff competency audits, water quality testing, and drying cabinet validation. For a large facility, a bundled package covering all endoscopes, like the Pentax EC-3890Li colonoscope, and all AERs offers the best value and ensures total process integrity.
Third-party validation reports are critical evidence for accreditation bodies. They demonstrate your facility's commitment to infection prevention and control standards. A clean validation report for your endoscopy suite, showing your Olympus CV-190 systems are properly reprocessed, can significantly strengthen your application for local and international accreditations, directly impacting patient trust and hospital reputation.
The technician should be a certified biomedical engineer or infection control specialist with specific training on endoscopy reprocessing and validation protocols. They should have hands-on experience with your specific AER model, whether it's a Medivators, Olympus, or STERIS machine. Ask for proof of certification, such as from the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or equivalent.
Yes, older or refurbished AERs can and must be validated to ensure they perform to standard. The process for a refurbished Olympus OER-Pro is the same as for a new one, focusing on verifying that all critical parameters—time, temperature, and disinfectant concentration—are met. Validation confirms that the refurbished unit can effectively perform high-level disinfection, making it safe for patient use.
Routine maintenance, often performed by an in-house biomedical team, involves preventive tasks like changing filters and checking pump pressures on an AER. Validation is a formal, documented process performed by a third party to prove the entire reprocessing system consistently produces a safe, sterile endoscope. Maintenance ensures the machine runs; validation proves the process works effectively.
While not standard in a basic validation package, staff training is a common and highly recommended add-on. The validation engineer can provide on-site, hands-on training for your technicians on best practices for manual cleaning of a Fujinon duodenoscope or correct operation of the AER. This addresses any skill gaps identified during the validation process, preventing future failures.
Water quality testing involves collecting samples from the final rinse water of the AER. These samples are sent to a laboratory to test for microbial counts (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and endotoxin levels. Poor water quality can re-contaminate a disinfected endoscope, so this step is critical for ensuring the entire process, especially for sensitive equipment like an Olympus TJF-Q180V duodenoscope, is safe.
A Process Challenge Device (PCD) is a tool used to simulate the most difficult-to-clean areas of an endoscope. It is placed inside the AER during a cycle to challenge its cleaning and disinfection capability. While not yet standard practice in all Nigerian facilities, forward-thinking providers use PCDs to provide a higher level of assurance that the reprocessing cycle for complex scopes is effective.
Yes, a comprehensive service includes validation of endoscopy drying and storage cabinets. This involves verifying that the cabinet maintains positive pressure with HEPA-filtered air and checking for any internal contamination. Proper storage in a validated cabinet, like the Nuve E-300, is crucial to prevent recontamination of a reprocessed Olympus or Pentax endoscope before its next use.
While Nigeria is developing its specific guidelines, best practice is to follow international standards from bodies like SGNA (Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates) and AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation). A validation service ensures your processes for equipment like the Medivators Advantage Plus AER align with these global standards, which are often referenced by local regulatory and accreditation bodies.
A qualified provider can validate a mixed fleet of AERs. The process is tailored to each machine's specifications. For example, the validation protocol for an Olympus OER-Pro will differ slightly from that of a STERIS System 1E due to their different operating cycles and disinfectants. The final report will contain separate sections and results for each AER model, providing a complete picture of your department's compliance.
An emergency validation service, required after an unexpected major repair or suspected outbreak, typically costs 25-40% more than a scheduled service. This premium covers the rapid deployment of a technician, often within 24-48 hours to a facility in Lagos or Abuja, and expedited lab processing of microbiological samples. The higher fee ensures your endoscopy unit returns to safe operation as quickly as possible.
Yes, the validation process certifies the Automated Endoscope Reprocessor (AER) itself, confirming it can effectively disinfect any compatible scope. However, the validation protocol will often include taking samples from the most complex scope used in the facility, such as an Olympus CF-HQ190L colonoscope, as a worst-case scenario test. This ensures the process is robust enough for all endoscope types you use.
To get an accurate quote, you need to provide the number of AERs you have, their makes and models (e.g., two Medivators Advantage Plus, one Olympus OER-Pro), the number of endoscopes in your fleet, and the location of your facility. Also, specify if you require additional services like staff training, water quality testing, or drying cabinet validation, as these will affect the final price.
Validation directly manages infection control risk by providing objective proof that your disinfection process effectively kills microorganisms. By testing samples from a reprocessed Pentax video colonoscope and finding no microbial growth, you have documented evidence that your workflow is not a vector for cross-contamination. This is a cornerstone of any hospital's patient safety and infection prevention program.
The technical validation process itself is identical for both public and private hospitals, as the standards for patient safety do not change. However, procurement and payment processes may differ. Private facilities in Lekki might opt for comprehensive annual contracts with faster SLAs, while public teaching hospitals may procure validation as a one-off service through a more formal tendering process.
The validation provider will work with your department to minimize disruption. They can schedule the on-site work during off-peak hours or validate one AER at a time, leaving others operational. For a typical 2-day on-site process, one reprocessor may be offline, but careful planning ensures that emergency endoscopy services for critical patient care can continue with minimal interruption.