Water dependent equipment includes any items of equipment that comes into direct or indirect contact with a patient or their environment and also uses or requires to process or hold water to function.
Water dependent equipment, is a potential infection source and should be considered as potential sources for infection as part of outbreak or incident investigations.
Neonatal incubators
- Sterile water (not tap water) should be used within humidifiers for neonatal incubators in accordance with manufacturers instructions.
- Neonatal incubators (including mattresses) should be completely dismantled, cleaned, decontaminated and thoroughly dried between patients (or every 7 days when used continuously by the same patient), using cleaning products that are compatible with the equipment and in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Any moisture left within or on the incubator can encourage microbial growth.
- The re-usable reservoirs of humidified incubators should be cleaned and sterilised between uses in a central decontamination unit, if manufacturer guidance allows.
Cardiac heater cooler units
Refillable bottles
- Refillable bottles should not be used in high-risk settings where patients receive care.
- Where appropriate for use, refillable bottles should be washed and thoroughly dried and protected from environmental contamination. Any moisture may promote the growth of microorganisms.
- Products used in refillable bottles should be freshly made (never topped up) and discarded after 24 hours (or sooner as dependent on the solution). Manufacturer’s instructions should also be followed.