How to Clean the Bivona Trach

A tracheostomy tube is a tube that is inserted into a surgically created opening in the neck. There are many underlying reasons a tracheostomy is performed, but the purpose of all tracheostomies is to increase the amount of oxygen that reaches the lungs. The Bivona trach tube is a flexible silicone tube that comes in several sizes. In the hospital, sterile technique is used for cleaning because of the concentration of bacteria. Due to the controlled environment and fewer foreign germs in the home, an intact tube may be reused after it has been properly cleaned.

Things You'll Need

• Normal saline
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Cotton swabs
• Sterile gauze
• Replacement tube
• 2 basins
• 3 pipe cleaners
• 10 cc syringe
• Towel

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash hands with soap and warm water. Pay attention to areas that hide bacteria, such as nail beds and between fingers. Sterile technique is used when working in the hospital. At home, aseptic or clean techniques are acceptable because there are not as many foreign germs in the home.

• 2

  Assemble the needed equipment. Place sterile gauze pads, cotton swabs, a replacement tube, syringe and a clean, dry towel within easy reach.

• 3

  Pour equal amounts of normal saline solution and hydrogen peroxide into a shallow basin. This half-strength hydrogen peroxide solution is commonly recommended by health care professionals for cleaning medical apparatus.

• 4

  Place the Bivona tube and inner obturator in the half-strength hydrogen peroxide solution. Scrub the obturator and the outside of the tube with a clean pipe cleaner or cotton swab. Do not touch the part of the tube that comes in contact with the surface of the throat.

• 5

  Insert the tip of a cotton swab into crevices in the tube to reach hidden bacteria.

• 6

  Use another pipe cleaner to clean the inside of the Bivona tube. Discard the used pipe cleaner.

• 7

  Inspect the tube and obturator, looking for cracks and sharp edges. Discard the tube if there is any damage. Use a syringe to inflate the balloon of cuffed tubes. Look for any leaks in the balloon. Squeeze the balloon gently to ensure it remains inflated under slight pressure. Discard the tube if the balloon has a leak or deflates quickly.

• 8

  Pour hot water that has been boiled into a basin. Soak the tube and obturator for at least 20 minutes in the basin. Do not soak any part of the tube in water that is actively boiling over a heat source.

• 9

  Remove the tube from the water carefully.

• 10

  Insert a clean pipe cleaner into the tube to dry the interior of the tube. Dry the exterior of the tube and the obturator with sterile gauze pads. Allow any excess water to air dry before storing the tube.

• 11

  Attach clean, dry trach ties to the wings of the tube.

• 12

  Place the Bivona tube and obturator in a clean, dry storage container with a lid. The lid must be closed securely. Store the container in a cool, dry location away from light and high heat.

• 13

  Discard the cleaning solutions, pipe cleaner, gauze pads and any frayed trach ties.

• 14

  Wash and dry the cleaning containers to prepare them for the next use.