Decontamination Advice
Guidance of A-Z Equipment
Used within Care Homes in Leeds
Author: Jennifer Featherstone
Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Specialist
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust
A-Z of Decontamination of Equipment
EQUIPMENT OR SITE
Ambubags / Ambumasks
ROUTINE OR PREFERRED
METHOD
Consider:
1. Disposable, single use or
ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE OR
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION
Detergent wipes ensure kept and
appropriately stored.
2.
Single patient (resident) use
Baths, Showers (shower chairs) &
Bidets
After each resident use, wash using
disposable cloths and hand hot water
N.B. For hydrotherapy
and general-purpose detergent.
and Jacuzzi type baths
Rinse well and allow to dry.
Refer to manufacturers’
Instructions
Consider purchasing a combined
Detergent / disinfectant product.
For residents with open wounds ensure
surfaces of bath is cleaned and
disinfected before and after use.
Bath mats
(for use outside the bath)
The use of bath / shower mats is not
advocated but if they are, they should
be cleaned after use and be single resident
use.
Disposable paper bath mats be used
instead of bath mat.
Bed frames and cradles
(metal)
Between residents, wash with hand
hot general-purpose detergent
solution and dry.
If contaminated with blood clean with
hand hot water and general-purpose
detergent, rinse and dry. Wipe with
10,000 ppm (1%) hypochlorite solution,
rinse and dry.
Bedpans, Urinals &
Commode pans
Residents to have their own
individual (preferably labelled)
Bedpan / urinal / commode pan.
If no Bed-pan washer disinfector/
macerator in home OR machine is
out of order empty contents of
bedpans/urinals/commode pans into
sluice hopper or toilet (avoiding
splashes) then:
Use:
1.
Bed-pan washer disinfectant or
2.
Place single-use disposables and
their contents into macerator
1.
2.
N.B. Operate equipment according
To the manufacturer’s
recommendations.
Place disposables in a yellow/orange
plastic bag for incineration or
registered landfill.
Clean re-usable bedpan
holders/urinals/commode pans with
hand hot water and generalpurpose detergent, rinse and dry.
Return to resident’s room.
Residents with diarrhoea and vomiting
to have their own bedpan/urinal/
commode pan:
1. Clean with hand hot water and
general purpose detergent, rinse
and dry.
2. Disinfect surfaces by wiping with
1,000 ppm (0.1%) hypochlorite
solution, rinse and allow to air dry.
EQUIPMENT OR SITE
Bedpan Washer
Disinfector/Macerator
ROUTINE OR PREFERRED
METHOD
Clean outer casing of machines with
hand hot water and general-purpose
detergent on a weekly basis and
immediately when visibly soiled.
Bowls - Washing
If bowls are necessary for the bedbound, they must be labelled with the
resident’s name. After use, wash
with hand hot water and generalpurpose detergent, rinse and dry.
Store inverted in the resident’s own
room.
Bins (domestic and
clinical)
Wash weekly and when visibly soiled
with hand hot water and generalpurpose detergent in designated
area.
Blood Pressure
Sphygmanometer & Cuff
Refer to manufacturer’s cleaning
instructions.
Single resident use (disposable) cuffs
are available.
ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE OR
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION
Engineer to check machine and seals
annually and a logbook kept.
If contaminated with blood, wash with
hand hot water and general purpose
detergent followed by disinfecting with
10,000 ppm (1%) hypochlorite solution
rinse and dry.
BRUSHES:
Lavatory brushes
After every use, rinse in running
water (in toilet pan), and store dry.
Disinfect and replace on a regular
Basis or sooner if visibly contaminated.
Nail brushes
Do not use routinely.
Single use, disposable nail brushes are
available for aseptic procedures
Shaving Brush
Single resident use only.
Use brushless cream or shaving foam.
Tooth Brushes
Single resident use only.
Carpets and Rugs
Vacuum daily. Wash periodically
using carpet compatible detergent
solution and hot water extraction.
For contaminated spills clean with carpet
compatible detergent solution and water
extraction system. Disinfect carpet only if
capable of withstanding disinfection.
Alternatively, consider steam cleaning.
Alternative floor coverings are available
instead of carpets for use in areas where
frequent spillage anticipated.
Some carpets are available which are
compatible with use of hypochlorite.
EQUIPMENT OR SITE
Cleaning equipment
ROUTINE OR PREFERRED
METHOD
Use correct colour coded cleaning
equipment for different areas in home
e.g.
ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE OR
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION
Toilet areas.
Kitchen areas.
General use.
Barrier nursing.
CLOTHS:
Disposable
Discard at the end of each shift and
when otherwise indicated.
Non disposable
Wash after use with hot water and
general-purpose detergent.
Send to laundry for heat disinfection
in washing machine at the end of
each shift.
Commode Frames
Crockery and cutlery,
water-jugs and glasses
After use by infectious residents always clean
Clean after each use with a general purposes surfaces with general-purpose detergent solution,
detergent solution, rinse well and dry.
rinse and dry.
Wash frame and seat
with hot water and general purpose
detergent solution when visibly soiled and on a For infectious residents disinfect surfaces by
daily basis.
wiping with 1,000
ppm (0.1%) hypochlorite solution rinse
and dry.
Wash (and heat disinfect) in
dishwasher suitable for commercial
purposes. Allow to dry in
dishwasher.
Curtains
If no dishwasher available:
Wash using hand hot water and
general- purpose detergent, rinse and
allow to air dry using racking system or
dry using disposable paper
towels / kitchen roll. Avoid the use of tea towels
Always change after episodes of
Launder or dry clean at least annually and or
more frequently if resident has had known
infection.
THERMOMETERS:
Electronic Clinical
Thermometers
Use disposable sleeve. Disinfect unit
with 70% alcohol swab after use.
Tympanic thermometers
Individual disposable earpiece.
Single-use disposable
thermometers
Duvets
Single-use disposable thermometers.
Launder duvet and cover in the same
way as other bed linen:
Follow manufacturer’s instructions
isolation (isolation nursing), for example after
MRSA; C’diff; and following Norovirus outbreak
EQUIPMENT OR SITE
ROUTINE OR PREFERRED
METHOD
(1) Vacuum clean daily
ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE OR
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION
Do not use brooms in resident areas.
Floors (wet cleaning of
hard floors)
Wash daily or as appropriate with hot
general purpose detergent solution.
Disinfection is not routinely required.
For known contaminated area wash first
with general-purpose detergent
solution, followed by disinfecting with
1,000 ppm (0.1%) hypochlorite solution.
Allow to dry.
Flower vases
When changing water/flowers,
dispose of water into sluice hopper or
toilet, wash vases with generalpurpose detergent solution before refilling with clean water.
Perform thorough hand
decontamination after dealing with
flowers.
Floors (dry)
After use, wash vases with generalpurpose detergent solution and store
dry and inverted
Furniture and fittings
Damp dusting with hand hot water
and general purpose detergent.
Hair combs
Single resident use only.
Wash regularly.
Hair curlers
Wash after use with hand hot water
and general-purpose detergent and
allow to air dry.
Residents with scalp conditions should
have their own hair curlers.
Hoists
Wash daily when in use and when
visibly soiled with hand hot water and
general purpose detergent. Allow to
dry.
Pay particular attention to connecting
parts.
Hoist slings (material)
Single resident slings to be sent to
laundry when visibly soiled and on a weekly
basis.
Refer to manufacturer’s instructions
Disposable slings are available.
.
EQUIPMENT OR SITE
Mattresses and Mattress
Covers
N.B. For pressure relieving
ROUTINE OR PREFERRED
METHOD
Undertake regular mattress audits
To have fluid impermeable(i.e. waterproof)
covers on mattresses. Covers to be:
Washed with general-purpose
detergent solution and dried using
disposable cloths or paper towels
mattresses always refer to
manufacturer’s instructions.
ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE OR
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION
Always refer to manufacturer’s instructions.
N.B. Do not use disinfectant
unnecessarily as this damages the mattress
cover.
Check condition and integrity of mattresses on
a weekly basis.
Mattresses that become soiled or
damaged should be replaced.
MOPS:
Establish if single use or re-useable
Wet Mops
Wash with hot general-purpose
detergent solution, rinse, wring and
store dry and inverted between uses.
Mop bucket
Wash with hot water and generalpurpose detergent. Store dry in
inverted position at the end of each
shift.
Medicine Pots
Treat as Crockery and Cutlery
(above). Always check for single use symbol
underneath. If single use dispose of after use.
Nebulisers
See Manufacturers guidance for Nebulisers
Oxygen masks and tubing
Single resident use only (dispose of
after each resident). Wash masks in
hand hot water and general-purpose
detergent on a weekly basis and
when visibly soiled.
Pillows
(Waterproof covers)
Launder pillow and cover in the same
way as other bed linen:
If disinfection is required either heat
disinfect (laundry) OR soak in 1,000
ppm (0.1%) hypochlorite solution rinse
well and dry.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
Retain in manufacturer’s wrapping until
required.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for
laundering.
RAZORS:
Wet Shaving
Single resident use. Rinse in hot
water after use.
Electric
Single resident use.
N.B. No sharing of razors.
EQUIPMENT OR SITE
Rooms
ROUTINE OR PREFERRED
METHOD
Daily cleaning of resident’s room.
Use hand hot water and generalpurpose detergent and allow to dry
Receivers
(Non-sterile, reusable)
Wash with hand hot water and
general-purpose detergent and dry
with paper towel.
Scissors
(non-sterile)
If not single use should be cleaned
with hand hot general-purpose
detergent solution, dried and wiped
with 70% alcohol wipe.
Soap Dishes
Do not use in staff areas. Residents’
own should be washed and dried on
a daily basis.
Spenco, Kelly’s, sheepskin, foam
pads
1.
2.
3.
ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE OR
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION
Single resident use.
Send to laundry between.
each resident use or if soiled.
Discard if damaged.
Stands for drips, PEG
feeds etc.
Wash with general-purpose detergent
and hot water between resident use
and when soiled.
Stethoscopes
Ear pieces/Bell
Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
If contaminated with blood, wash with
hand hot water and general-purpose
detergent followed by disinfecting with
10,000 ppm (1%) hypochlorite solution
rinse well and allow to dry.
Wipe with detergent wipe.
N.B. Staff with ear infections should
not use stethoscopes.
Suction Equipment
(Respiratory)
Toilet seats
Toys used for activity sessions
Refer to manufacturer guidance for Cleaning
and Storage of
Suction Equipment
Wash with hand hot water and
general-purpose detergent and dry
daily and or when visibly soiled. Increase
frequency to twice / three times daily if toilet
is regularly used.
If grossly contaminated, hand hot water
and general-purpose detergent, dry
Wash weekly or when visibly soiled
with hand hot water and generalpurpose detergent. Use washing
machine for soft toys.
When grossly contaminated, wash with
hand hot water and general-purpose
detergent, dry using disposable paper
towels followed by wiping with 1,000
ppm (0.1%) hypochlorite solution or
70% alcohol wipe. Rinse well and dry.
using disposable cloths or paper towels
followed by wiping with hypochlorite
1,000 ppm Av Cl (0.1% solution).
Rinse well and dry.
N.B. Heavily contaminated soft toys
may have to be destroyed.
EQUIPMENT OR SITE
Trolleys
Uniform
(clothing)
ROUTINE OR PREFERRED
METHOD
Wash shelves and frame with hand
hot water and general-purpose
detergent and dry before and after
use.
ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE OR
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION
In the event of a laundry system
not being available in the work
setting:
It is recommended that a spare uniform
is available to staff at all times.
Wash separately on 65ºC for not less
than 10 minutes or 71ºC for not less
than 3 minutes in domestic washing
machine, followed by drying and
ironing with as hot an iron as
possible.
Vacutainer Barrels
Single-use, disposable
Vacuum cleaners
Cleaned and maintained in
Accordance with manufacturer’s
instructions.
Walking Aids
(Zimmer frames, walking
stick etc)
Between residents and when visibly
soiled, wash with hand hot water and
general purpose detergent and dry.
Wash Hand Basins
Clean with general-purpose detergent
or cream cleaner on a daily basis.
Disinfection not normally required.
Decontamination of health care equipment prior to repair, service or investigation
Equipment that has been contaminated with blood and other body fluids, or exposed to service
users with a known infectious disease, should not be sent to third parties without being
correctly decontaminated first. Before dispatching the item it should be labelled with a
declaration of its decontamination status that states the method of decontamination used.
Anyone who inspects, services, maintains or transports healthcare equipment has a right to
expect that the equipment has been appropriately decontaminated to remove or reduce the
risk of infection, for example, equipment being returned to Leeds Community Equipment
Stores, (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority).
References:

British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS)

Department of Health (2006) Infection Control Guidance for Care
Homes. London, Department of Health.

Health and Safety At Work Act 1974

ICNA Audit Tools for Monitoring Infection Control Standards. The
Infection Control Nurses Association in partnership with the
Department of Health 2004.

Infection Control Guidacne for Care Homes Department of Health June
2006

Lawrence, J. & May, D. (2003) Infection Control in the Community,
London, Churchill Livingstone.

Management of Health and Safety At the Work Regulations. 1992

Medical Devices Agency (2003) management of medical devices prior
to repair, service and investigation DH

National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2010) Infection control:
prevention of healthcare associated infection in primary and community
care.

NPSA National Specifications for Cleanliness: Guidance on Setting and
Measuring Performance Outcomes in Care Homes (2010)

Standards for Environmental Cleanliness in Hospital. NHS Estates and
the Association of Domestic management, The Stationary Office 2000

The Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice for Health and
adult social care on the prevention and control of infections and relating
guidance. Department of Health 2009.

The Revised Healthcare Cleaning manual NPSA 2009

Wilson J. (2001) Infection Control in Clinical Practice (2nd ed.), London,
Balliere Tindall.