Melbourne, Australia, 05/09/24 | Press Release | Company Olympus Australia Launches its First Flexible Endoscope Sterilisation Facility
MELBOURNE, September 5, 2024 - Olympus Australia, a global MedTech Company committed to making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, today announced the opening of “Sapphire,” the first flexible endoscope sterilisation facility for Olympus. Sapphire, located in Melbourne, Australia, is part of the newly launched Olympus On-Demand solution, made available to Australian healthcare facilities, and designed to reduce the risks, costs, and complexities associated with managing an endoscopy service.
Pictured Left to Right: Scott Veltman (Senior Manager - Corporate Strategy at Olympus ANZ), Sue Greig (National Manager, Infection Prevention and Control at Ramsay Health Care), Beth Wardle (Clinical Nurse Manager of Infection Control at The Wesley Hospital) and Di Jones (Nursing Director at ANZGITA) conducting a Sake Barrell Breaking Ceremony
Olympus On-Demand provides access to high-quality flexible endoscopes, delivered directly to hospitals in a sterile barrier with a microbiological test result, ready for immediate clinical use. When device usage has been completed, Olympus collects and transports the endoscope from the hospital to the Sapphire reprocessing facility, where it undergoes a cleaning and sterilisation process in preparation for future clinical use.
Pictured here left to right: Marc Radatt, Tim Pallas MP, Stefan Kaufmann, Professor Ben Devereaux, and James Bowe.
The facility opening ceremony was attended by President and Chief Executive Officer of Olympus Corporation Stefan Kaufmann, Olympus Australia and New Zealand Managing Director James Bowe, the Victorian Treasurer and Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas, and gastroenterologist and former President of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia, Professor Ben Devereaux.
Pictured here left to right: Marc Radatt, Tim Pallas MP, Stefan Kaufmann, Professor Ben Devereaux, and James Bowe.
“The Sapphire facility is a testament to Olympus’ commitment to patient safety and innovation,” said Stefan Kaufmann. “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.”
Professor Ben Devereaux added, “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.
Scott Veltman - Senior Manager - Corporate Strategy, in the Sealing Room of Sapphire
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.”
Scott Veltman - Senior Manager - Corporate Strategy, in the Sealing Room of Sapphire
Pictured here is James Bowe - Managing Director, Olympus Australia and New Zealand, delivering his opening
James Bowe expressed his excitement for the elevated healthcare outcomes the Olympus On-Demand program is anticipated to deliver and noted, “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."
Pictured here is James Bowe - Managing Director, Olympus Australia and New Zealand, delivering his opening
Tim Pallas praised the 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.”
About the Sapphire Facility
Sapphire is a purpose-built facility where certified staff oversee the cleaning, disinfection, and sterilisation process of endoscopes. The facility and its quality management system comply with Australian AS5369 Reprocessing of Reusable Medical Devices and ISO 13485 Medical Devices - Quality Management Systems
About Olympus On-Demand
Olympus On-Demand provides access to high-quality flexible endoscopes, delivered directly to hospitals, in a sterile barrier, with a microbiological test result and ready for immediate clinical use.
When the device has been used, Olympus collects and transports it to the offsite Sapphire reprocessing facility, where a cleaning and sterilisation process is undertaken, in readiness for the next clinical use.
About Olympus Australia
At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide best-in-class solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world.