Olympus sets a new benchmark in endoscopy

MedTech & Diagnostics News: Olympus Australia has unveiled “Sapphire,” the country’s first flexible endoscope sterilisation facility, located in Melbourne. This state-of-the-art facility is part of the newly launched Olympus On-Demand solution, which aims to streamline endoscopy services for healthcare facilities by reducing associated risks, costs, and complexities.

The opening ceremony of Sapphire was graced by notable figures, including Stefan Kaufmann, President and Chief Executive Officer of Olympus Corporation; James Bowe, Managing Director of Olympus Australia and New Zealand; Victorian Treasurer and Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas; and gastroenterologist Professor Ben Devereaux, a former President of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia.

“The Sapphire facility is a testament to Olympus’ commitment to patient safety and innovation,” Kaufmann stated.

“This facility represents a first for our organisation as we aim to develop innovative ways to elevate the standard of healthcare. By providing access to high-quality flexible endoscopes that are ready for immediate clinical use, we are helping healthcare providers overcome the challenges of accessing and maintaining endoscopy technology, so they can spend more time on what matters most—focusing on their patients.”

The Olympus On-Demand service ensures hospitals receive high-quality flexible endoscopes in sterile barriers, complete with microbiological test results, allowing for immediate clinical use. Once the devices have served their purpose, Olympus efficiently collects and transports them to the Sapphire reprocessing facility. Here, each endoscope undergoes a meticulous cleaning and sterilisation process, preparing them for future clinical applications.

Professor Devereaux expressed enthusiasm for the facility’s impact on patient care, noting, “The Sapphire facility represents an exciting advance in the provision of high-quality endoscopic procedures to all Australians, wherever they live.

“The realisation of this Australian facility required great vision and commitment. A commitment to innovation. A desire to provide patient-ready, sterilised endoscopes to units all over the country. This new option for endoscope reprocessing is particularly exciting for regional and remote endoscopy units with limited endoscopes and reprocessing capabilities. These units will now have access to the latest endoscope technology for every procedure, for every patient.”

Bowe shared his excitement about the anticipated healthcare advancements stemming from the Olympus On-Demand program.

“We believe the Olympus On-Demand solution offers significant benefits for Australian hospitals and their patients. It not only minimises the risks, costs, and complexities associated with managing an endoscopy service but also enables healthcare providers to concentrate on what truly matters—delivering high-quality patient care.”

Minister Pallas commended Olympus’ initiative, stating, “Olympus’ investment in the Sapphire facility highlights Victoria’s reputation as a key destination for innovative healthcare projects. The facility will also boost the state’s leadership in MedTech manufacturing, one of the fastest-growing sectors in the Victorian economy.”

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