All you need to know about cleaning medical supplies

Germs from patients can be found on any object which came in contact with them as well as on the equipment that was utilized during their care. Certain germs can survive on a dry surface for up to 5 months. Furthermore, germs from any surface can pass on to another patient or even to you. This is the reason why medical supplies and equipment need to be disinfected.

Disinfecting something means cleaning it for the purpose of destroying germs and bacteria. Disinfectants are the solutions utilized for this purposes. By using them in a proper manner, you will manage to prevent the spreading of germs. You should always follow the workplace policies in regard to cleaning medical equipment and supplies.

Disinfecting medical supplies

First of all, you should start by wearing adequate personal protective equipment (also known as PPE). Your workplace will have certain guidelines on what needs to be worn in different situations. These will include wearing gloves as well as shoe covers, a gown or a mask where appropriate. It's always recommended to wash your hands prior to putting on the gloves and after' taking them off.

Tubes or catheters that go into the blood vessels will be either used only once and then thrown away or sterilized for the purpose of being used again. You should clean reusable supplies such as tubes (endoscopes) with a certified cleaning solution before using them again.

In regard to equipment that comes in contact solely with healthy skin (such as stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs) you should follow these instructions:

- Never use from one patient straight to another patient

- Clean using a light or medium level solution between uses

What you need to know about cleaning solutions

The cleaning solutions used should be approved by your workplace. When choosing the correct one you should take into account:

- The type of medical supplies and equipment that you are cleaning

- The type of germs that you need to destroy

You should always read and take note of the usage directions for each solution. At times you may need to let the disinfectant to become dry before rinsing it off, for another use.