After using a bronchoscope on a patient with a staphylococcus infection, which method should be used to sterilize the equipment?

The use of a bronchoscope involves the potential exposure to pathogens, including harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus. To ensure effective sterilization of equipment that has been in contact with infected tissues or secretions, it is crucial to employ a method that provides a high level of disinfection or sterilization.

In this case, soaking the bronchoscope in Cidex, which is a form of glutaraldehyde solution, demonstrates the necessary efficacy for high-level disinfection. The chosen duration of 15 minutes is a standard practice to achieve this level of disinfection. Cidex, particularly when used correctly, can inactivate a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, making it suitable for semi-critical medical equipment such as bronchoscopes.

Sterilization methods like steam autoclaving are also effective, but they may not be appropriate for all types of endoscopic equipment due to heat sensitivity. Therefore, soaking in a properly prepared Cidex solution is effective within the parameters given, allowing for both safety and efficiency in infection control for procedures involving potentially contaminated devices.