Care equipment can be easily contaminated with blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and infectious agents, making it a possible source for transmission of infectious agents during care delivery.

Important words and what they meanRoutine cleaning The regular, planned, systematic cleaning regime by use of the appropriate decontamination agents such as detergents, disinfectants or combination products.Cleaning The removal of any dirt or body fluids (such as blood, vomit) by use of the appropriate decontamination agents such as detergents, disinfectants or combination products (commonly referred to as routine cleaning).Decontamination The process of removal, destruction, or inactivation of microorganisms, from an item or surface to make it safe for handling, reuse, or disposal, through a combination of cleaning and disinfection.Disinfectant A chemical used to reduce the number of infectious agents from an object or surface to a level that means they are not harmful to health. Detergent A chemical cleansing agent that can dissolve oils and remove dirt. Detergent, general purpose detergent and neutral detergent terms may be used interchangeably. 

If the resident has a known infection or the equipment is contaminated with blood or body fluids, then a disinfectant product should be used.

Disinfectant products should be selected based on compatibility with the equipment being decontaminated, as stated in manufacturer’s instructions.

Note:

Do not use household bleach as the required dilution cannot be guaranteed.

Do not refill bottles for cleaning products as there is a risk of contamination. 

 

What you will need for safe management of non-invasive, reusable, shared care equipment.

• Cleaning/disinfectant products:
  • general purpose detergent and water solution/detergent impregnated wipes

or

• • a combined detergent-disinfectant solution prepared and used according to manufacturer’s instructions.

or

• • a detergent followed by a disinfectant solution prepared and used according to manufacturer’s instructions.

• Paper towels/disposable cloths.

Types of equipment

There are three different types of care equipment that you will use in your care home and it is important that you know how to deal with each type.

You should follow manufacturers guidance for all equipment and products you use including those used for cleaning and decontamination.

Before using any sterile equipment, you should check that:

• the packaging is intact
• there are no obvious signs of packaging contamination
• the expiry date remains valid

 

1. Single-use - equipment which is used once on a single resident and then discarded.

Single-use equipment must never be reused even on the same resident. The packaging carries the symbol.

Note:

Needles and syringes are single-use devices. They should never be used for more than one resident or reused to draw up additional medication.

Never give medications from a single-dose vial or intravenous (IV) bag to multiple residents.

 

2. Single individual use – equipment which can be reused by same resident for example a sling and decontaminated following use as per manufacturers instructions.

 

3. Non-invasive, reusable, shared care equipment – equipment which can be reused on more than one resident following decontamination between each use. For example commode, moving and handling equipment or bath hoist.

Cleaning or decontamination of non-invasive, reusable, shared care equipment

Residents should be given their own non-invasive, reusable equipment where possible. 

Reusable equipment should be checked frequently for cleanliness and signs of integrity. This will include mattresses and pillows which should be clean, have a waterproof covering which is in a good state of repair. 

Pillows used on resident’s beds may not require a waterproof cover if they are single resident use and are subject to regular checks/laundering. Resident pillows may require labelling where appropriate.

Reusable equipment should be cleaned or decontaminated:  

• between individual use
• after blood and/or body fluid contamination
• as part of the regular scheduled cleaning schedules or process
• before inspection, servicing or repair

Staff should:

• follow the local cleaning protocol or schedule which should include responsibility for, frequency of and method of decontamination required
• use a general purpose detergent and water solution or detergent impregnated wipes

or

a combined detergent-disinfectant solution prepared and used according to manufacturer’s instructions.

or

a detergent followed by a disinfectant solution prepared and used according to manufacturer’s instructions

Non-invasive, reusable, shared care equipment should be cleaned or decontaminated:

•  As soon as practicable after use
• Between use on different individuals
• when visibly soiled
• after blood or body fluid contamination
• following the resolution of an outbreak
• before and after inspection, servicing or repair
• before being loaned out and following return
• before decommissioning, recycling and disposal
• at regular, pre-defined intervals as part of an equipment cleaning schedule.

Cleaning and disinfectant solutions should be prepared and used according to manufacturer’s instructions taking into account the following:

• chemical concentration
• application style
• specific product contact time
• appropriate rinsing and drying

Disinfectant products should be selected based on compatibility with the equipment being decontaminated, as stated in manufacturer’s instructions.

Note: When an organisation use products or adopts practices that differ from those stated in this manual, that individual organisation is responsible for ensuring safe systems of work including the completion of risk assessments approved through local governance procedures.

Resources

Read the Safe management of non-invasive, reusable, shared care equipment literature review to find out more about why we do things this way for care equipment.

 

The decontamination of non-invasive care equipment poster can help staff decide how to clean equipment.

 

 

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