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Infection Prevention and Control
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Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
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Management of Respiratory Equipment
Caution:
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Where consumables such as nebuliser masks and oxygen masks bear this symbol they must only ever be used once and then disposed of.
Items bearing this symbol should never be re-used (even by the same service user).
Item
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Good practice in relation to Respiratory Equipment Action
Nebuliser machine /compressor
Where possible dedicate item to the use of one service user only
To reduce the risk of transmission of infection
Where compressors are required for use by more than one service user the external surface should be cleaned between each service user
Filters which are externally fitted are more readily changed; internal filters cannot be changed by care staff To ensure that equipment is functioning optimally
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(always check manufacturers’ instructions)
Rationale
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Only compressors with external filters should be used. The use of equipment with only internal filters should be avoided
To reduce the risk of the transmission of infection
Where there are external or internal filters in place these should be changed in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions
To ensure that equipment is functioning properly
A different nebuliser chamber must be used for each individual patient
To prevent contamination of clean equipment; to provide assurance that equipment was decontaminated prior to storage
The equipment should be serviced in line with the manufacturers’ instructions
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To reduce the risk of transmitting infection
To protect staff from any risk of contamination
Good practice in relation to Respiratory Equipment integrity of the nebuliser set Discard the chamber and tubing if either shows any signs of the following: discolouration stickiness cracking of the chamber
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in place around the use of this equipment
Each nebuliser set should be used for a maximum of thirty days before being routinely discarded
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Oxygen masks, nasal cannulae and oxygen tubing
The set should be labelled (on the tubing rather than pot) and any changes of set documented in the nursing notes Oxygen masks, cannulae and tubing are for single use. They should not be reprocessed or reconfigured in any way.
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Washing/rinsing between uses is not recommended. If a single episode of use consists of more than one treatment, the product should be checked to ensure that it is functionally fit prior to each treatment. It should be disposed of if soiled, damaged, no longer functioning correctly or when the service users’ treatment is completed or weekly. These items are single service user use items and should only ever be used by one patient; a disposable mouthpiece should be used for each set of measurements and then discarded
Peak flow meters
The external surface should be decontaminated in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions
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If items have a single use symbol on their packaging or box, they are deemed single use items and should not be re-used Single patient use items require regular checking to ensure they are fit for purpose Long term use of individual items is not recommended; a maximum of 7 days use should be implemented To reduce the risk of the transmission of infection To reduce the potential for infection and to reduce the need for decontamination To reduce surface dirt To ensure proper functioning of the equipment
Bibliography: Damani, N., (2012) Manual of Infection Prevention and Control. (3rd ed) Oxford. Oxford University Press CREST guidelines (2006) “Guidelines for the Prevention of Infection and Decontamination of Respiratory Equipment in Northern Ireland” (online)
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SIGN guidelines (2013) “British Guideline on the Management of Asthma” (online)
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