Safe Management of Care Equipment
Objective
Ensure safe cleaning, decontamination, and maintenance of shared care equipment to prevent the spread of infection.
Further information: Preventing Infection Workbook - Page 30
Why This Matters
Any item used on multiple residents can carry harmful microorganisms. Correct cleaning, disinfection, and regular maintenance are essential to stop infections spreading and to ensure equipment remains safe for use.
Key Principles
1. Types of Care Equipment
- Single-use - Used once on one resident, then discarded.
- Symbol (A 2D circle with the number 2 inside a diagonal line through it): Single-Use Symbol.
- Examples: Needles, syringes.
- Never reuse, even for the same resident.
- Never share single-dose vials or IV bags between residents.
- Single-patient use - Reused on the same resident only.
- Reusable invasive - Used once, then sent for full decontamination (e.g., surgical instruments).
- Reusable non-invasive (communal) - Used on more than one resident; must be cleaned between each use (e.g., commodes, hoists, wheelchairs).
2. Before Using Sterile Equipment
- Check packaging is intact.
- Check for no contamination.
- Confirm expiry date is valid.
3. Decontamination Requirements
Reusable non-invasive equipment must be cleaned:
- Between each use.
- After contamination with blood/body fluids.
- At scheduled intervals (as per your cleaning protocol).
- Before inspection, servicing, or repair.
Important: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and storage. Store equipment clean and dry.
4. Maintenance of Equipment (Including Hoists)
- Hoists, slings, and other lifting equipment must be:
- Cleaned between each use.
- Checked daily for visible cleanliness and integrity.
- Serviced in line with manufacturer's instructions and LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) requirements.
- Before sending equipment for servicing or repair, complete an equipment decontamination status certificate to confirm it has been appropriately cleaned.
- Report any damage, malfunction, or issues immediately and remove equipment from use until repaired.
Cleaning Guidance
For shared/communal equipment:
- Use combined detergent and chlorine-based disinfectant (1,000 ppm).
- OR use neutral detergent + chlorine-based disinfectant (1,000 ppm).
- Ensure correct contact time per manufacturer's instructions.
For electronic equipment:
- Use 70% alcohol or a product specified by the manufacturer.
For residents with Clostridioides difficile:
- Use a sporicidal disinfectant.
Resources
Health Protection Cleaning Schedules (PDF, 124 KB)
Health Protection Cleaning Audit (PDF, 123 KB)
Health Protection Management of Care Equipment Audit Tool (PDF, 136 KB)
Decontamination of Reusable Non-Invasive Care Equipment Flowchart: 2018-07-nipcm-appendix-7.pdf
IPC Cleaning & Disinfecting a Commode Information Graphic: Cleaning-a-commode-for-Care-Home-October-2024-Version-4.00.pdf
IPC Commode Audit Tool: Commode Audit Tool
References and Further Guidance Links:
Care home Infection and Prevention Control Manual - National Services Scotland : 5 - Safe management of care equipment
