RA Medical
Infection control guide to care of
inhalation sedation flowmeters and
scavenger breathing system components
Janet Pickles offers her guide to assist with the provision of a suitable infection control
protocol.
Infection control procedures for use
and care of inhalation sedation
flowmeters and scavenger breathing
system components are frequently
misunderstood and the intention of
this article is to guide and assist with
the provision of a suitable infection
control protocol.
Inhalation sedation flowmeters
External cleaning of the inhalation
sedation flowmeter body varies
according to manufacturer/type and
the following offers a guide to the
main types currently in use.
The Matrx MDM and DMDM can be
wiped over externally by using a
germicide containing lutaraldehyde,
following the manufacturer’s directions
for use. Care must be taken with the
touch screen face of the DMDM,
alternatively a disposable barrier shield
can be used. In the case of the C3000
MXR, the recommendation is to use an
approved disinfectant for the dental
environment – again, following the
disinfectant manufacturer’s directions
(and cautions) for use. Similar
procedures would be recommended
for other types of flowmeter. The
DMDM and C3000 MXR are part of the
‘new generation’ of sedation
flowmeters designed with infection
control in mind.
RA Medical
Reservoir bags
Reservoir bags are usually composed
of a grey non-latex material. These are
protected from internal contamination
by the non-return valving of the
flowmeter outlet. If required, they can
be externally cleaned with a mild
detergent such as trisodium phosphate
or a neutral liquid soap. The product
can also be autoclaved providing the
maximum temperature does not
exceed 137oC.
Scavenger breathing systems –
mask and tubings
Cleaning and sterilisation of these will
vary considerably with regard to
manufacturer instructions. The most
frequently seen types on the UK
marketplace are:
• Porter brown double mask breathing
system
• Matrx ANS (autoclavable nitrous
scavenger) system
• Matrx passive scavenger system
• Accutron scavenging system.
Each system comes with individual
instructions for cleaning/sterilisation
and these should be consulted prior to
formulating an infection control
procedure. Most of the above are
American in origin but mainly comply
with UK autoclave temperatures. If
further advice is required, then the
original supplier of the system should
be consulted.
The new HTM 01-05 Decontamination in primary care
dental practices does not mention R A
(or IS) sedation equipment at all.
However, the audit tool – Assessing
implementation of HTM 01-05:
decontamination in primary care dental
practices and related infection
prevention and control issues will.
The fifth section of the audit tool
(management of dental medical
devices – equipment and dental
instruments, with the heading
‘inhalation sedation machines (ISM)’)
contains the following questions:
• Are IS flowmeters used and
maintained in accordance with OEM
(original equipment manufacturer) or
suppliers instructions?
• Are IS breathing systems (mask and
tubings) used in accordance with
manufacturer’s or suppliers
instructions?
Question 14 of section five should
also be referred to, which comes under
the sub-heading of ‘other medical
devices’ and asks:
• Are single-use items only used for
single treatment episode and disposed
of following use?
Disposable components
Most breathing systems are designed
to be autoclaved, but with the option of
disposable, single patient use
components. These range from nasal
hoods and liners to coaxial hose and
can be utilised in a ‘mix and match’
formula to suit. |
|
Janet Pickles is the chairwoman of RA
Medical Services Ltd.
|
