Procedures for How to Clean Medical Equipment

Keeping machines and equipment clean is essential in almost any industry. Medical equipment needs to be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized in order to be reused. These items need to be kept clean at all times as bacteria can easily find its way to medical equipment; leading to the spread of infection and disease. There are standard techniques for properly cleaning medical equipment.

Instructions

• 1

  Wear appropriate protective gear when cleaning medical equipment so as not to transfer bacteria and viruses to cleaned equipment or transfer bacteria and viruses from the equipment to you. Appropriate gear usually includes gloves, masks, eye gear and aprons.

• 2

  Disconnect any cords or cables from electrical outlets if you are cleaning electrical or computerized equipment. Carefully wipe the equipment down with an antibacterial solution and a damp cloth. Spray the cleaning liquid onto the cloth instead of directly onto the equipment. Also ensure that the machine is completely dry before you reconnect any wires or plugs.

• 3

  Wash and soak non-electrical items in the appropriate antibacterial solution. They can then be washed thoroughly with a cleaning cloth or sponge. The equipment should then be thoroughly rinsed with warm water to remove any soap and chemicals. Try to use distilled water if possible. The equipment should then be left to dry completely before it is used again. It is also advised not to use cleaning solutions with a high chlorine content as this may damage stainless steel over time.

• 4

  Store cleaned items in a clean and disinfected room if it won't be used immediately. Put the equipment on clean shelves, or on the floor if it has wheels. If an instrument has not been used for some time, make sure that it is cleaned first before use. It is also recommended to rinse equipment with warm water immediately after use.

• 5

  Use ultrasonic cleaning to properly clean medical equipment. The ultrasound enhances the effects of the cleaning solution. Equipment should also be rinsed in distilled water after it has been put through such a cleaning cycle. Ultrasonic cleaning is a very effective method of cleaning and is commonly used in the medical field.