Cleaning
This is an essential step before sterilisation.
Failure to cleanse assemblies carries the risk of ineffective
sterilisation, and blockage of manometric channels by retained
body fluids.
Body fluids should not be allowed
to dry in or on the assembly after it has been used,
as removal of deposited solids from these can then be very difficult.
Directly after use, immerse the assembly in a bowl
of warm, mild detergent solution, and wipe it externally
several times under water.
Use a 20 ml syringe to flush the detergent solution through
all channels of the assembly regardless of whether the channel
has been used for measurement or not.
Use of a 20 ml syringe minimises the risk of applying excessive
pressure to manometric channels which can burst as a result
of this.
The flushing pressure should be reduced for miniature and micro
manometric assemblies (those with manometric lumina smaller
than
0.6 mm).
In assemblies equipped with balloons
do not flush these accidentally. These connectors are
supplied with a male luer connector and a red luer locking ring,
so they are readily distinguished. |
 |
Rinsing
Rinse the outside of the assembly in a bowl of clean
water.
Remove the assembly from the rinse water and place it on a clean
surface.
Cover the assembly with a towel to absorb the water jets that
exit from side holes on flushing.
Flush each channel with water and then air. This can be achieved
conveniently by using a 20 or 30 ml syringe which is only part-filled
with water. After flushing several ml of water with the syringe
pointing downwards, tilt the syringe upwards so that air is
then forced out of the syringe. |
|
Sterilisation
We advise strongly against the use of glutaraldehyde solutions
for disinfection. The risks of eye splash with flushing
are substantial and this method has not been validated.
Disinfection with glutaraldehyde also introduces the possibility
of retention of glutaraldehyde within assemblies because of
inadequate flushing. Retained glutaraldehyde can cause
serious injury to patients on subsequent use of the manometric
assembly.
Air flushing that is needed after syringing of assemblies cannot
dry internal channels adequately. This retained moisture is
an infection hazard.
Autoclaving is the only method of sterilisation that
we recommend.
Your assembly is designed to withstand repeated autoclaving.
The autoclaving time must allow for the presence of
water within assembly channels even after prolonged air flushing.
Only special approaches will clear manometric channels of water
completely.
Autoclaving will ensure complete dryness of the assembly channels,
as well as reliable sterilisation.
Users must determine effective protocols for the autoclaves
that they will be using in consultation with infection control
officers.
In one institution the following process has been certified
as effective.
-
|
steam autoclave at 134°
for
5 minutes at 30 psi or 206 kpa |
-
|
total cycle time of 30 minutes to allow
for warm up and cool down. |
Luer plugs must be removed for autoclaving.
The plugs should be autoclaved with the assembly. |
