i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

Keep external surfaces clean by wiping with GPD

i) Disposable Single use.

Process re-usable equipment in anaesthetic washing machine (80 C for 1 minute) where available. Store dry and covered. Where washing machine unavailable follow local policy. Autoclave after use on HIV, HBV, TB and other infected patients.

i) Disposable Single use.

May be used throughout an operating list providing appropriate filters are in place

i) Decontaminate and autoclave in CSSD/TSSU.

ii) Disposable Single use.

i) Disposable Single use.

ii) Decontaminate and autoclave in CSSD/TSSU.

Preferably use sterile commercial feeds.

If a milk kitchen is used, then reprocess bottles in CSSD.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

i) Cream cleanser or scouring powder.

ii) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Clean after each patient use. Use bath liners for infected patients.

i) Phenolic solution after washing with GPD.

ii) Chlorine releasing granules / solution.

After bathing patients colonised with MRSA, etc

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

On patient discharge or when soiled.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Do not routinely use disinfectants regularly because of deterioration in mattress cover.

i) Phenolic solution after washing with general purpose detergent.

OR

ii) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

After cases of MRSA, VRE or Group A Streptococcus.

Manufacturer or rental company to reprocess.

When in use follow cleaning procedure outlined in Manual.

Vacuum clean filter at least once per week.

Permit to Work required.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Normally wipe clean daily and between patients.

i) Phenolic solution after washing with general purpose detergent.

OR

ii) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

OR

iii) Chlorine releasing granules/solution.

If patient had MRSA or Group A Streptococcus, etc, after patient use.

i) Laundry.

Normally, clear plastic bag If soiled, red/pink plastic bag, then transparent plastic bag Incinerate from patients with serious infections (eg viral haemorrhagic fever).

i) Washer-disinfector.

Process in bedpan washer. Check machine reaches 80 C for 1 minute OR, process disposable in a macerator.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Wipe straight after use with fresh GPD and a disposable cloth.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Wipe straight after use using a disposable cloth.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Keep clean. Wipe with GPD between patient use.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) Disposable Single use.

Wash and dry after use on infected patients.

Single use cuffs may be available and should be dedicated to one patient.

i) Disposable Single use.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

All patients should have their own bowls. Wash and dry thoroughly daily and before returning to general use. Do not stack if wet.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Clean between babies

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

OR

ii) Disposable Single use.

Single use equipment can be used repeatedly for one patient providing it is thoroughly washed and dried after use. Autoclave between patient use.

See Decontamination of Fibre-optic Endoscopes.

Vacuum clean.  Washing should be by hot water extraction using the approved detergent. Check disinfectant use after discharge of infected patient or after spillage of body fluid (see Spillage Policy)  or mobile dry clean.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) Phenolic solution after washing with general purpose detergent.

iii) Chlorine releasing granules / solution.

Use disinfectant (phenolic solution or chlorine releasing agent) only after cleaning with general purpose detergent.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

If available, use centralised disinfecting dishwasher service. Otherwise, handwash in hot water with GPD and air dry if central service not provided.

i) Cover.

These cannot be satisfactorily decontaminated between patients.

i) Laundry.

Change 3-monthly or when soiled. Change following occupation of bed or room by patient with MRSA, VRE or Group A Streptococcus infection. Wipe curtain pulls with an alcohol wipe between patients.

i) Disposable Single use.

i) Engineers.

Do not use disinfectants. These are of no value if drains smell because they are blocked. Contact works department.

i) Engineers MEDU.

This type of equipment must be kept dust free. Seek advice from MEDU (or electrical service unit, works department) about how to do this. Return to MEDU for servicing and decontamination. Permit to work label required. Control panels should, where possible be covered. Wipe control panels with an alcohol wipe at the beginning of a shift.

i) Disposable Single use.

ii) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

iii) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

Normally dispose of these.  Clean with GPD and wipe with alcohol between patients if they are not disposable.

See Decontamination of Fibre-Optic Endoscopes

i) Washer-disinfector.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Damp mop with GP detergent in hot water, air dry, daily in clinical areas

Vacuum or use dust-attracting mop.

Infectious patients: Steam clean/dry clean carpets using approved disinfectant.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) Wipe surfaces with phenolic solution or chlorine releasing agent after discharge of infected patient.

Damp dust with general purpose detergent. Wipe surfaces with phenolic solution or chlorine releasing agent after discharge of infected patient.

See Hang Hygiene Policy

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Allocate to a patient and discard on discharge.

i) Washer-disinfector.

Clean in washer-disinfector or use patient’s own.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) Wipe surfaces with phenolic solution after use by an infected patient.

Use disinfectant only after use by an infected patient.

Launder between patients.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Wipe according to domestic policy.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

During use empty and clean reservoir daily.  Dry thoroughly.  Refill with sterile water.  Send to Engineers/MEDU on completion of patient use. 

Permit to Work label required.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Wash and dry daily.  Disinfect twice  a week either in the MEDU or CSSD.

i) Disposable Single use.

Disposable systems such as "Aquapak" or equivalent must not be reused on more than one patient. Change when nozzle overtly dirty.

See Hydrotherapy Pool Hygiene Policy

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Decontaminate according to local policy. Clean with GPD and dry. Wipe with a disinfectant only if baby was infected with virulent or resistant organisms Send to Engineers (eg MEDU) after patient use if faulty.

Permit to Work label required.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Clean daily according to local policy.  Wipe with a damp cloth with GPD.  Ensure surfaces completely free of feed and infustion residues.  Then decontaminate with alcohol wipe if contaminated with blood.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Wash when soiled and on completion of patient use.

i) Decontaminate and autoclave in CSSD / TSSU.

Bag as instructed. All instruments are treated by SSD as though potentially infected.

ALL LINES MUST BE DATED. Traffic lights should NOT be used. Use Y-giving sets in preference to 3-way taps on intravenous infusions. See Intravenous Drug Administration Policy in Nursing Practice Manual.

i) Disposable Single use.

Change every 48 or 72 hours (label with date/time of set up).

i) Disposable Single use.

Inspect frequently. Resite 48 hourly if practicable or at first sign of inflammation (pain swelling, blockage). Resite as soon as possible after emergency insertion.

i) Disposable Single use.

Change as indicated by local inflammation/PUO, etc

i) Disposable Single use.

See Total Parenteral Nutrition and and tunnelled Hickman Broviac/Groschong lines line policies in the Nursing Practice Manual.

i) Disposable Single use.

Change all the equipment every 48 hours including the bag and 3-way tap.

i) Decontaminate and autoclave in CSSD / TSSU.

After use remove bulb and wash bulb. Send blade to CSSD or use single use blades or sheath. Wipe over hand piece. Store dry. For tonsillectomy, use single use blades or a blade sheath.

i) Disposable Single use / sheath.

Risk of vCJD transmission from tonsillar tissue reduced. 

No special treatment required. Wipe outside plastic covers with general purpose detergent if used by a patient with infection.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Damp dust according to cleaning schedule.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) Use phenolic solution or chlorine releasing agent or 70% alcohol solution or wipes after discharge of infected patient.

Clean covers between patient use and when soiled. 

Use phenolic solution or chlorine releasing agent or 70% alcohol solution or wipes after patients with  MRSA or Group A Strep.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) Manufacturer to decontaminate after patient use.

Wipe hard surfaces with general purpose detergent daily. 

Manufacturer to decontaminate after patient use. 

Permit to Work label required.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Protect with waterproof covers.

Clean between patient use and when soiled.

Protect with waterproof cover if possible.  Dispose if soiled or used on a patient with infection. 

Store dry in plastic bags.

i) Disposable Single use.

Discard after single use.

i) Disposable Single use.

Discard after use.

Launder after use or discard.

i) Theatres - Single use or decontaminate and autoclave in CSSD / TSSU.

ii) Kitchens - single use

Single use and sterile in theatre. 

Single use and non-sterile in kitchens. 

Should not be in use elsewhere.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) Disposable Single use.

Named for individual patient. 

Change complete unit weekly or when soiled. 

Store dry.

i) Disposable Single use.

Change daily or when soiled.

Change between patient use.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Contact ICN for advice if used on an infected patient.

Filter change every three months. 

Permit to Work label required.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

OR

ii) 70% alcohol solution.

OR

iii) Disposable Single use.

Wipable material should be cleaned. 

Otherwise dispose of when soiled or patient discharged.

i) Disposable Single use.

i) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

Between patients detach head, dust off and immerse in 70% alcohol for 3 minutes.  Allow to dry.  Do NOT use on HIV, HBV, MRSA positive patients and anyone with a skin disease or facial lesion. 

i) Disposable Single use.

Use Disposable clipper heads.

See Source Isolation Policy and Cleaning Areas Used for Source Isolation

Do NOT use.  Use gauze to apply cream or foam.

See Hand Hygiene Policy.

Use liquid soap and water, dry thoroughly.  Removes transient micro-organisms and cleans soil.

Use alcohol gel (or alcoholic chlorhexidine) before examining patients or performing procedures.

Wash with chlorhexidine (Hibiscrub) or iodophor (Betadine) preparation before aseptic procedures.

Follow theatre  policy  using chlorhexidine (eg Hibiscrub) or iodophor (Betadine) preparation

Nil or wipe with 70% alcohol swab (optional) and allow the skin to dry.

i) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

Prepare the site by swabbing with alcoholic chlorhexidine or betadine for at least 1 minute.  Allow the skin to dry.

i) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

Alcoholic chlorhexidine or iodophor should be rubbed on the skin for two minutes and allowed to dry.  In orthopaedic surgery where sporicidal action is required, 3 aqueous aqueous iodophor compresses should be applied in succession pre-operatively for 20 minutes each.  Where alcoholic solutions are contra-indicated use an aqueous preparation.

Use soap and water or individual sachets of chlorhexidine 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15%.

Use individual sachets (warmed) for cleansing closed surgical wounds.  Do not clean routinely, only if oozing.

Clean around drain site with sterile normal saline or sterile water, as necessary.

Dress separately from incision.

Clean with sterile water or sterile normal saline or as directed by medical staff.

Clean with sterile water or sterile normal saline or as directed by medical staff.

Clean with sterile saline or cetrimide0.15%/chlorhexidine 0.015% or as directed by medical staff.

Send pus or swab for culture.  Clean with sterile normal saline, sterile water or as directed by medical staff.

Irrigate with sterile water or normal saline.  Pack loosely.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Keep clean, wipe with GPD, then PNC or CRA if used on a patient in Source Isolation.

i) Disposable Single use.

i) Decontaminate and autoclave in CSSD / TSSU.

Send for proper decontamination when the patient leaves.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) Decontaminate and autoclave in CSSD / TSSU.

Use disposable tips and if not disposable, send for proper decontamination.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) Decontaminate and autoclave in CSSD / TSSU.

Preferably single use.

i) Decontaminate and autoclave in CSSD / TSSU.

ii) Disposable Single use.

Preferably single use.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

See Spillage Policy.   Put on  disposable plastic apron and "Marigold"-type gloves.  Mop up as much as possible with Incopads.  Discard in yellow plastic sack.  Clean with GPD in hot water and wipe up with paper towels.  When the spillage has been removed, wipe or wash the area with GPD, changing gloves if  necessary.  Discard protective  clothing into the yellow bag, tie and send for incineration.

If carpeted area, clean up as much as possible with disposable towels\incopads then arrange formal cleaning procedures.

i) Chlorine releasing granules/solution.

ALL BLOOD SHOULD BE TREATED AS A POTENTIAL HAZARD

Put on disposable "Marigold"-type gloves and plastic apron and visor or goggles.  Mop up as much as possible with disposable paper towels or incontinence pads, discard into a yellow bag.  Make sure the area is well ventilated and move staff and patients away from the spillage. Flood the area with fresh CRA solution giving 10,000 ppm available chlorine, or cover with chlorine releasing granules.  Leave for 5  minutes and mop up.   When the spillage has been removed wipe or wash the area with GP detergent, changing gloves if necessary.  Discard everything into a yellow sack (marked "hazard"), tie and send for incineration.  Steam clean/disinfect carpets according to hospital policy

See Radiation Spillage Policy.

Seek advice from Pharmacy Department or Medical Physics.

See Mercury Spillages Policy

i) Disposable Single use.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

Clean daily and between patients.  This may be done with an alcohol impregnated wipe.  Dedicate one stethoscope per patient in ITU.  Wipe with alcohol wipe at the beginning of each shift and clean after discharge of patient.

If the machine becomes contaminated, a Permit to Work is required to ensure the engineers are aware of any risk.

i) Decontaminate and autoclave in CSSD / TSSU.

ii) Disposable Single use.

i) Disposable Single use.

Change daily and between patients.

i) Decontaminate and autoclave in CSSD / TSSU.

ii) Disposable Single use.

Empty and clean daily, send to CSSD after completion of patient use according to local policy.  Disposable units to be discarded in rigid containers for incineration.

Change when necessary, and between patients.

Used bags go into a special crate. They should not be put directly into yellow bags.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Clean outside and change filter daily.  Send for decontamination if used on an  infected HIV or HBV positive patient. 

Permit to Work label required.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

i) Disposable Single use.

Use (a) disposable system (eg "TempaDot") or electronic thermometers with appropriate disposable tips or sheaths.

Merury thermometers should be phased out.

Caution for mercury spillages.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

Clean in tepid water. 

Wipe with 70% alcohol and store dry.

i) Disposable Single use.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

Use a sheath. Clean in tepid water. Wipe with 70% alcohol and store dry.

i) Disposable Single use.

Use disposable tips.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Wash weekly and after each patient and allow to dry.

Use disposable sheaths or wash clean in GPD.  Rinse and store dry.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) Phenolic solution after washing with general purpose detergent.

Clean last of all in sequence.  Use phenolic or CRA on communal toilet seats daily.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

If soiled, wash with GPD. Soft toys cannot be adequately decontaminated so if used by a child with infection should be sent home with the child or destroyed. The optimal method for for decontamination is low-temperature stem/formaldehyde, but this is not generally available.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Clean thoroughly daily. Before and after procedures wipe with 70% alcohol.  Must be dry before placing sterile packs on surface.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

Use a sheath where possible.

i) Washer-disinfector.

Treat as bedpans eg in washer/disinfector.

i) Washer-disinfector.

Heat disinfect in bedpan washer between every use.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Change bag weekly.  And at catheter change unless a protective valve system is used.  The "closed system" must be maintained to reduce the risk of introducing micro-organisms into the system.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) Decontaminate and autoclave in CSSD / TSSU.

Damp dust with GPD and dry daily and between patients. “Pall" filters in use for proven infection or patients likely to be ventilated for 24 hours or more. Internal operations: inspect and clean internal mechanisms every 2 weeks according to local policy. Internal parts to be autoclaved. Proper decontamination is needed after ventilation of patients with tuberculosis, resistant Gram-negative organisms in respiratory tract, MRSA in respiratory tract (including N/S), definite fungal lung infections, Pneumocystis carinii, lobar and community-acquired pneumonia.

Change between patients or use"Pall" filter.  For long term patients’ change the tubing twice a week.  Store clean tubing dry and covered.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

Rarely require disinfection.  See Cleaning Infected Areas.  Washing is recommended after certain infections and frank soiling.  Contact ICN for advice.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) Chlorine releasing granules/solution.

Keep clean.  Wipe with chlorine releasing agent after use by patients in Source Isolation

i) Decontaminate and autoclave in CSSD / TSSU.

ii) Disposable Single use.

i) Wash in fresh general purpose detergent solution.

ii) 70% alcohol solution or wipes.

Keep equipment clean by damp dusting.  Use ALC after GPD if overtly contaminated.