How to Properly Clean and Maintain Infusion Pumps
Whichever the type of medical facility, pumps are a patient’s requirement and quite essential. Studies show that 86% of all patients who arrive in a hospital for admission require infusion pumps. Patients in hospitals and those at home can use both smart pumps and syringe pumps. However, in order for these pumps to function properly and prevent compromising the patient’s health, special care and maintenance must be adhered to. Below are some of the ways to achieve this.
Cleaning Before Use
Syringe pumps and various infusion equipment usually come with specific instructions from the manufacturer concerning cleaning and disinfection. Make sure that you use medically approved disinfectants and cleaning agents for this exercise. Some cases call for a two-step cleaning procedure for the infusion systems.
You are also required to clean the infusion areas as well as the equipment’s stand and wheels. Note that these surfaces can highly sensitive to chemicals that have not been approved, thus, you must ensure that the chemicals you use are approved by the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) as well as the manufacturer.
Additionally, the medical staff should pay attention to the pump’s wheels as they are likely to pick up unwanted dust. Even after following all the recommended cleaning exercises for the infusion system itself, dusty wheels can easily give a negative impression to patients. To avoid this, ensure that the pumps are well covered when not in use.
It is also essential that you prioritize the training of staff members that involves three processes. You may want to unplug an IV Infusion Pump during sanitation. Besides, ensure that the syringe infusion systems are working properly before they are used by a patient. These are the major cleaning procedures and precautions you should take before using the systems.
Cleaning After Use
Infusion pump cleaning after it has been used by a patient ensures compliance with set standards and security for the patient and staff. Again, always follow the instructions given by the manufacturer to alleviate exposure to chemical solutions or bodily fluids. The primary rule to be adhered to by the staff is always remembering to remove debris before disinfection of the system. Cleaning the infusion pumps during and after use ensures compliance. To streamline this exercise, confirm what the manufacturer requires, either the use of disposable wipes or button overlay for easier cleaning.
After usage, the pump should be removed from the bedside to the cleaning or storage area. Furthermore, to ensure that proper procedure is adhered to, entrust this responsibility to specific staff members with clear instructions outlined. You need to ensure that a proper disinfection process is followed as indicated by the manufacturer.
Maintenance Policy
Medical facilities should lay down definite maintenance policies concerning their infusion systems and confirm that these policies are being implemented to the later. In these policies, you need to ensure the disinfection of pumps and their correct working conditions are specified. Today, technology has simplified things and many medical facilities have embraced electronic tracking systems. However, no matter the electronic or manual system, it is crucial to specify someone in charge of all these maintenance processes.
Finally, pumps are essential parts of any medical facility, hence keeping them well maintained must be regarded highly on your priorities. Achieving an outstanding patient experience begins with investing in top class equipment. Hop online and research more on your infusion pump systems and how they work to stay informed.
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