Each year, thousands of patients get sick during their stays at hospitals. To minimize infections and the millions spent on additional health care, hospitals developed procedures for cleaning medical devices and equipment like medical computers.
The Critical Importance of Cleaning in Healthcare & HAI Prevention
Diseases that infect patients during hospital visits or stays are called hospital-associated infections (HAI), healthcare-associated infections, and nosocomial infections. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates there are 1.7 million HAI cases each year, resulting in around 75,000 deaths and $28-33 million in additional costs.
Understanding Medical Device Cleaning Methods
Vectors or the sources of HAI transmission are numerous:
- High-touch surfaces such as handrails and door knobs.
- Medical equipment and devices ranging from urinary catheters to drain tubes to TV remotes.
- Surgical instruments such as improperly sterilized scalpels and forceps
- Healthcare staff's hands, especially if unwashed or wearing used PPE gloves.
- The patients themselves, especially if they have improperly treated open wounds or suffer from certain respiratory ailments.
- Insects such as cockroaches, flies, and mosquitoes.
A hospital's Infection Control (IC) department monitors HAIs and provides processes to reduce them. They break down into four categories:
Cleaning: Basic Removal of Foreign Material
Cleaning is defined by the CDC as "the removal of foreign material (e.g., soil, and organic material) from objects…normally accomplished using water with detergents or enzymatic products".
Wiping, brushing, and rinsing are examples of cleaning. The method does not entirely kill off bacteria or similar pathogens.
Sanitizing: Reducing Bacteria on Medical Surfaces
Sanitizing targets the bacteria on the surface of medical devices, equipment, and other hospital surfaces. The method adds chemical agents to cleaning that destroy 99.999% of bacteria present in 30 seconds, reducing any chances for growth and, thus HAI. However, sanitizing the area may not completely kill all viruses present or spores.
Disinfection: Eliminating Viruses & Spores
Disinfection further reduces the number of pathogens and disease-causing microorganisms on a surface, mainly through chemical means. The process is longer; most hospital-grade chemical disinfectants take 10 minutes to destroy viruses and spores.
The following are some of the disinfectants recommended by the CDC:
- Alcohol
- Chlorine and chlorine compounds
- Formaldehyde
- Hydrogen peroxide
Disinfection through non-chemical means like heat (pasteurization) and ultraviolet light are also used.
Sterilization: Destroying All Microorganisms
Sterilization aims to destroy all microorganisms on the surface of an object or within a fluid. This method uses dry heat, steam and pressure, and certain chemicals like ethylene oxide.
Best Practices for Medical Device & Equipment Cleaning
Medical device manufacturers must submit procedures on how to clean their devices to the FDA for approval. This is done during the design and development phase. Original equipment manufacturers (OEM) provide something similar for cleaning their equipment.
The hospital's IC department provides these procedures to staff. Most involve regular cleaning and disinfection. For example, workstations and equipment on them, like all-in-one medical PCs, should be wiped down at the start and end of every shift.
Also, cleaning procedures should immediately be performed if there are visible signs of contamination on the workstation or if there has been contact with hazardous materials like soiled wound dressings. The same is true if the equipment is removed from the hospital's designated isolation rooms.
The following are some examples of how to clean medical devices and equipment.
Cleaning Patient Monitor Medical Devices
Patient monitors are medical devices that display patient vitals in real-time: heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen levels, etc. While each manufacturer has specific guidelines for cleaning their monitor, many follow these steps:
- Assemble all the accessories and parts: SPO2 sensor, temperature sensor, BP cuff, etc.
- Disconnect the accessories from the patient monitor.
- Remove the monitor cover to access the circuit board.
- Check voltages at each test point. They should be within range per the monitor's manual.
- Turn off the monitor and unplug it.
- Use an aerosol duster to clean the board of dust and debris.
- Replace the monitor cover and plug back all accessories.
- Clean I/O ports using prescribed cleaners.
- Wipe down the monitor screen with alcohol wipes.
- Turn on the medical device and test to ensure it works normally.
Cleaning Medical-Grade Monitors Safely
Medical staff spend hours looking and interacting with their medical-grade monitors, many of which are touch-screen. To properly clean them, staff should:
- Turn off the monitor and unplug it.
- Unplug any devices connected to it.
- Put on PPE gloves.
- Wipe across the screen using a microfiber cloth dampened with alcohol solution.
- Air dry before plugging the monitor and any connected devices.
Monitor fan grilles and any I/O ports should not be wiped down as the process may damage the more delicate interior or the connectors. And spraying with water or, especially, hospital-grade cleaners should only be used if directed by IC.
Cleaning Computer Keyboards & Mice in Healthcare Settings
Unsurprisingly, these two can be major vectors for HAI as staff members use them throughout their shifts. Cleaning them involves:
- For corded keyboards, unplug them from the computer. For wireless ones, remove their batteries.
- Put on PPE gloves.
- Wipe away any visible materials using a clean microfiber cloth.
- Tilt the keyboard at a 75-degree angle.
- Spray compressed air at it. This will dislodge any debris between the keys and have them drop onto the table or floor.
- Dip the microfiber cloth into rubbing alcohol. Wring out excess until it's damp.
- Wipe down the keyboard.
- Air dry.
Computer mice are treated similarly:
- Turn off the mouse.
- If it's corded, unplug it. If it's wireless, remove the batteries.
- Put on gloves.
- With a clean microfiber cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol, wipe down the mouse. Make sure not to clean any openings as they may allow fluid into the interior and cause damage.
- Air dry.
Again, don't spray water or hospital-grade cleaners and disinfectants on computer keyboards and mice unless directed by Infection Control.
Why You Want Medical-Grade Computers and Monitors in Cleaning
Cleaning medical devices and computers is a daunting task for modern healthcare, especially given the sheer numbers in today's facilities. In response, many have ditched off-the-shelf consumer brands for devices and equipment specifically designed to handle the industry's many challenges. Three features found in them include:
Dust and Liquid-Proof
These medical computers have IP65 sealed front bezels. Medical personnel can wipe or spray them directly without fear of the cleaning fluid entering and damaging the more delicate interior.
Fanless Cooling
Medical computers with this feature stay cool without taking in air. Medical staff can spray the PC's chassis without concern that liquids will be sucked in and cause harm.
Antimicrobial* Housing
This feature, also called disinfectant-ready housing, protects the computer's resin and plastic parts from degradation due to frequent cleaning and disinfection.
Streamline Medical Device Cleaning with Cybernet Medical Computers
Cleanliness is vital in the healthcare industry, with healthcare-acquired infections affecting already weakened patients and costing hospitals millions in additional costs. Best cleaning practices, from wiping visible dirt to sterilization, greatly reduce the chances of infections and lead to the best possible outcomes for patients.
Ready to enhance your healthcare facility's infection control with purpose-built technology? Contact a Cybernet expert today to discuss our high-quality medical computers, monitors, and tablets, all built from the ground up for rigorous cleaning and patient safety. That includes a listing of approved disinfectants for our products. With nearly 30 years of OEM experience, we'll help you find the ideal solutions for your specific wants and needs.