The 5-Minute Huddle · 004
Flush. Brush. Flush.
Decontamination · Manual Cleaning · Lumened Devices
Lumens hide the surfaces we're trying to clean.
Effective manual cleaning requires more than passing a brush through the channel. The cleaning sequence - and the tools used - need to address the entire internal surface according to the device IFU.
5 MINUTES. ONE CONVERSATION. SAFER PRACTICE.
START THE HUDDLE ↓
Lumens Require Attention to Surfaces You Can’t See.
During manual cleaning, follow the device IFU for the required flushing and brushing procedure.
A common sequence is:
Each part of that sequence does something different.
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Initial rinsing helps remove loose soil
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Brushing provides mechanical action along the internal surfaces.
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The final flush helps remove the soil and debris that brushing loosened.
BRUSHING LOOSENS IT. THE FINAL FLUSH HELPS CARRY IT OUT.
BRUSH SELECTION
Contact Matters.
A brush isn't effective simply because it fits inside the opening.
The brush needs to be appropriate for the diameter and length of the lumen so that it can contact the internal surface and pass through as intended.
Verify brush requirements and cleaning instructions in the device IFU.
What’s Missing?
Scenario
A technician flushes a lumened instrument, passes the correct brush through the channel, and places the device aside for the next processing step.
What's missing - and why does it matter?
Give the team a minute to identify the missing step and explain what that step accomplishes.
Flush It. Brush It. Flush It Again.
Brushing loosens soil.
The final flush helps carry loosened soil and debris out of the lumen - not leave it behind.
Follow the device IFU for The Required Cleaning Procedure.
Process Thinking
Completing the motions isn’t the same as completing the process.
A lumen can receive attention without receiving effective cleaning action.
Consider what happens when:
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Loose material isn’t removed before brushing begins.
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The bristles may not adequately contact the internal surface.
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It may not reach or pass through as required.
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Soil loosened by brushing may remain within the lumen.
The question isn’t just “Did you brush it?”
It’s “Did the cleaning process address the Internal surface?”
How Do You know You Have the Right Brush?
Ask your team:
How do you determine the appropriate brush diameter and length for a lumen?
Then have them identify where they would verify the device-specific cleaning instructions.
TRY IT WITH A REAL DEVICE
Chose one lumened device processed in your department.
Have the team locate its current IFU and identify:
Required lumen-cleaning steps
Brush requirements
Flushing requirements
Any device-specific instructions that change how the lumen is cleaned
The Bigger Process
ACCESS + Action + Verification
Huddle 002 · Memory is not an IFU
Know where to verify the processing requirements.
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HUDDLE 003 · OPEN MEANS OPEN
Prepare the device so cleaning action can reach required surfaces.
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HUDDLE 004 · Flush. Brush. Flush.
Apply the appropriate cleaning action to internal surfaces.
Good cleaning isn’t one action. It’s a series of correct decisions.
Take It To Your Team
Run This Huddle on Your Next Shift.
The printable one-page version includes the concept, team scenario, takeaway, and follow-up discussion activity.
FLUSH. BRUSH. FLUSH.
Decontamination · Manual Cleaning · Lumened Devices
Free SPD Educator Series
Free to use with your own team or learners. rie//PROCESS usage terms apply.
The 5-Minute Huddle
One Concept. One Discussion. One Takeaway.
Huddle 003
OPEN MEANS OPEN
Why cleaning action needs access to the surfaces being cleaned.