Cleaning, Inspection and Preventive Maintenance

Introduction and Decontamination Preparation

Patient care equipment consists of reusable devices utilized for direct patient care, monitoring, or treatment, including various portable devices. Examples of reusable surgical instruments include forceps, scissors, hemostats, and retractors; infusion pumps and compression devices are patient care equipment, not surgical instruments. Reusable devices must be cleaned and then receive the level of disinfection or sterilization required by their intended use, manufacturer’s IFU, and facility policy.

Technicians play a vital role during the initial decontamination process and must always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Before applying any cleaning agents, the technician must prepare the device by removing and discarding single-use components, such as disposable tubing, cassettes, and pads, following their respective IFUs and facility policy. If the unit utilizes reusable accessories, these components must be separated from the primary device and processed according to their own specific instructions for use.

Preparation also involves managing surface attachments. Technicians must remove temporary patient labels, tape, and clinical-use stickers during cleaning whenever directed by facility policy. However, you must take care never to remove required equipment identification or service labels. When sticky tape or label residue remains behind, remove this adhesive residue using a method permitted by the device IFU and facility policy that will not scratch or damage the housing.

Electrical safety must be addressed before any liquid is applied. As directed by the equipment IFU, always turn off and disconnect electrical patient care equipment from external power sources before starting the cleaning process. Electrical medical equipment must never be immersed in water or cleaning chemicals unless immersion is explicitly permitted by the manufacturer.