Medical equipment can make the difference between a patient surviving a medical event or emergency or not making it. Therefore, having the right equipment on hand is key, but so is ensuring that the medical equipment is clean, sanitary, and always ready to use. Failing to do this can lead to even greater problems down the road. That’s why the following cleaning and disinfecting medical equipment tips are so important:
Why Proper Medical Equipment Cleaning Matters
According to reports from the World Health Organization, also known as WHO, every year, hundreds of millions of people are negatively impacted by avoidable healthcare-associated infections (HAI). A great number of these HAI situations are associated with contaminated medical devices or equipment. Therefore, the devices that are used to save lives must be properly cleaned to prevent future infections, complications, and in some cases, even death.
The Medical Equipment Decontamination Process
The following is a breakdown of the proper decontamination process. At Oracle Cleaning Solutions, we provide specialized medical cleaning services that include cleaning medical equipment along with medical facilities. We encourage any professional who works with medical equipment to consider professional-level cleaning services for this all-important task:
Inspection & Pre-Cleaning
The first step before starting the cleaning process is to check out the piece of equipment. This means looking for broken pieces, things that need to be fixed, etc. Then, gather the cleaning products or solutions and tools that should be used to clean the equipment. Considering the manufacturer’s recommendations is wise before moving forward with cleaning and disinfecting medical equipment of any kind, as some will have very specific instructions on what to do and not to do when cleaning.
Cleaning Procedures
The next step in the cleaning process is getting into the removal of material from the equipment, that being either soil, dust, or biological material. The entire surface of the tool should be disinfected and cleaned. A variety of procedures and cleaning solutions can be used, including detergents or enzymatic products.
Disinfection Techniques
Techniques used for disinfection will effectively remove disease-producing organisms and make the piece of equipment or tool safe for regular handling and use again. A good example of how a piece of equipment might be disinfected could include placing the piece of equipment into a sterilizer or washer. It also usually includes using an agent to inactivate any disease-producing microorganisms. Disinfection is an important part of medical equipment cleaning, but it doesn’t go as far as sterilization.
Sterilization Methods
Sterilization goes even a step further than disinfecting and cleaning medical tools or equipment. It includes freeing the object or equipment from microorganisms entirely, even bacterial spores and viruses. Sterilization isn’t necessary in all cases of cleaning medical equipment. Choosing to sterilize is based on the item’s use and the manufacturer’s recommendations as well regarding how to completely clean that piece of equipment. Disinfection and sterilization are terms often used simultaneously, but they are actually different. While disinfection removes most germs, sterilization removes all good and bad microorganisms, which makes it a common step in medical equipment cleaning and within medical facilities. Disinfection, on the other hand, can be implemented in various settings like households, schools, and office buildings.
Final Evaluation & Safety Checks
After the cleaning and sterilization process has been completed, the devices should be visually inspected with a lighted magnifying glass. In addition, there are additional ways, beyond visual, that can be used to verify a good job of cleaning has been completed. If using a washer or disinfecting machine of some sort, all cleaning cycles should have been completed successfully. Also, protein detection is a common way for medical facilities to determine if equipment and tools have been completely and thoroughly cleaned. Protein is found on any living organism and on nearly all surgical soils, so using a protein detector device can indicate if the tools have been properly sanitized and cleaned. It’s also wise to use this step as another check on the safety features of the equipment or tools to look for breakages, damage, signs of wear, and more that could indicate it is not in good working order.
Best Methods for Cleaning Medical Equipment
The following is a closer look at the best methods associated with cleaning medical equipment. Again, manufacturer’s guidelines should always be considered as well as the guidelines put forth by government agencies.
Electrostatic Cleaning
This is a cutting-edge commercial cleaning process that efficiently cleans a large range of surfaces and can be used in a medical setting. This includes applying a disinfecting solution using an electrostatic applicator or sprayer. This method is designed to be used as a supplement to traditional cleaning methods and shouldn’t replace the following cleaning methods. However, when aiming to disinfect a large area, this can be extremely useful and can even clean surfaces other methods might miss.
Chemical Disinfectants
Chemical disinfectants, such as alcohol, in concentrations between 60-70%, can be used to clean medical equipment like scissors, oral and rectal thermometers, hospital pagers, stethoscopes, and more. Alcohol can also be used to clean ultrasound instruments, manual ventilation bags, ventilators, medication preparation areas, CPR manikins, and much more. Chlorine and chlorine compounds, bleach, formaldehyde, peracetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide are also chemical cleaning agents commonly used in medical settings.
Manual Cleaning Techniques
Manual cleaning of medical tools is recommended for complex or delicate devices. They are usually disassembled to expose all the surfaces. The device’s instructions should be followed for cleaning and disassembly. Manual cleaning is usually performed in three sink bays. One for pre-rinsing, one for immersion and soaking in a cleaning agent, and also using an instrument cleaning brush. This manual cleaning step should be performed under the water line. Then, the third sink bay is for the final treated rinse.
Ultrasonic Cleaning Technology
Ultrasonic cleaning technology works by employing high-frequency sonic waves. These waves create tiny bubbles that land on the surface of the tools and eventually implode. This implosion dislodges soil from the surface of a device. Cleaners can be used in ultrasonic devices, per specifications, and the tools can be rinsed off with softened or deionized water after the process is over.
Schedule Professional Medical Cleaning With Us
Medical facilities, like doctor’s offices, hospitals, and surgical centers, demand an increased level of attention when it comes to cleaning, disinfection, and sanitation, especially with regard to medical equipment. Thankfully, at Oracle Cleaning Solutions, we can provide this specialized level of service, meeting all the unique requirements and preferences of your medical facility. Contact us today to learn more.