Disinfection of Medical Equipment and Toys

Introduction

Date of Last Review 10/11/10

Date of Last Review 10/18/10

Date of Last Review 10/31/11
SME: Infection Control Manager

UTHCPC routinely disinfects medical equipment and toys to prevent nosocomial infection.

Method

The method of disinfection is as follows:

Items visibly contaminated with blood and body fluids are cleaned of visible material, see Cleaning and Disinfecting a Blood or Body Fluid Spill

A quaternary ammonia germicidal spray is sprayed onto the item to be disinfected

Responsibilities

The following table describes items to be disinfected, by whom, and frequency:

Items	Department	Frequency
Wheelchairs	Housekeeping or Clinic staff	Following each patient use When visibly contaminated
Toys on child and adolescent units	Housekeeping or Clinic staff	Weekly on Friday When visibly contaminated When a child who is known to have an infectious illness has played with the toys
Blood Glucose Monitors	Nursing	To be wiped with an alcohol wipe before and after each patient
Blood pressure cuffs	Nursing	Each day on the 11-7 shift for in-patient units At the end of each program day for clinic services When visibly contaminated

Age-appropriate toys

Toys are used according to age-appropriateness as follows:

Stored according to age-appropriateness

Toys that are a potential choking hazard are not recommended for children under the age of 6 years. These toys are kept locked in their designated area when not in use

Children are monitored in both the day area and playroom to ensure that age-appropriate toys are used safely

Related standards

The Joint Commission : Surveillance, Prevention, and Control of Infection

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