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Re: Cleaning and disinfection of Dialysis machine

Home Forums Infexion Connexion Cleaning and disinfection of Dialysis machine Re: Cleaning and disinfection of Dialysis machine

#77691
Helen Vertoudakis
Participant

Author:
Helen Vertoudakis

Email:
helen@verthealth.com.au

Organisation:
Vert Health

State:

Hi Cate
Unfortunately, this is not the only type of equipment that I’ve heard cannot be cleaned properly – or has restrictions by the manufacturer on disinfection recommendations due to the nature of these screens. If damaged, the manufacturer can more often than not often tell by the nature of damage caused what type of product has been used – so, it’s a difficult situation.

One way around this is to cover the touch screen, say with clear screening – something like you may use on your computer or mobile – depending on the type of clear screen – can be removed and replaced with fresh one for each patient and the touch screen can still have the disinfectant between each patient before the new clear screen/or cleaned and disinfected screen is attached.

Otherwise, do they recommended to use microfiber on the screen? Could wet a good quality microfiber cloth with the disinfectant- that way, at least the cloth can give some of the cleaning action required. If using a disinfectant on the cloth – the cloth lifetime will diminish more quickly than simply using with water- microfiber manufacturer should have some detail about this.
Hope this helps….
Helen

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Innovate for a Healthier Future

Helen Vertoudakis | Director | Vert Health
helen@verthealth.com.au | Ph +61 433 027 373 |
PO Box 536 Broadway NSW Australia 2007
http://www.verthealth.com.au

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HI everyone

Our healthcare service recently installed new dialysis machines across a wide area. Unfortunately there was no consultation with infection prevention and control for advice on managing the infection risk of the machines, in particular cleaning and disinfection.

The manufactures instruction for use (IFU) recommend Ethanol (60% to 70%) Isopropanol 60% . There is a further large warning in the IFU stating clearly that only these 2 disinfectants are to be used to clean the touch screen. The rest of the machine maybe cleaned and disinfected with 2 in 1 wipe used in most hospitals .

The IFU do not provide sufficient information or guidance on cleaning the Touch Screen to prevent damage and voiding warranty. The Touch Screen is the most frequently touched area of equipment and likely to become highly contaminated with pathogens from healthcare worker hands. Therefore cleaning and disinfection between patients to prevent healthcare associated infections in this vulnerable high risk group is vital. The IFU describes the disinfection process but not the cleaning process.

The Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare NHMRC 2019 – Page 59 which states:

Physical (mechanical or manual) cleaning is the most important step in cleaning. Sole reliance
on a disinfectant without physical cleaning is therefore not recommended

Given that these machines are currently installed and in use and the company representatives maintain that only alcohol is to be used to clean the touch screen, I was wondering if anyone else had a similar experience and would share with me how you managed the situation.

After all we all know cleaning and disinfection is vital in preventing the transmission of pathogens ,no more so during this COVID-19 Pandemic.

Thanks very much
Cate Coffey
RN BaAScN MPH&TM Grad Cert Infection Control Nursing
Clinical Nurse Manager

Central Australia Health Service
Department of Health
Northern Territory Government

Infection Prevention and Control Unit
Alice Springs Hospital
PO Box 2234, Alice Springs, NT 0871
cate.coffey@nt.gov.au

t. 08 8951 7737
http://www.health.nt.gov.au

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