Love Medical Recommendations for Sterilisation of Respiratory Equipment

Our guidelines for cleaning and disinfection remain the same as before the Covid-19 pandemic. Further protection may be required through PPE but this is at the determination of the Trust/Organisation.

The following guidelines apply to flow sensors, masks, and adapters.

1. Cold Sterilisation

1.1 Flow sensors and adapters should not be exposed to temperatures greater than 75°C

1.2 Recommendation: Love Medical recommends the use of Milton Sterilising tablets for all items.

1.2.1 The Sterilising tablet offers the simplest method with 1 tablet dissolved in 5 litres of cold water remaining effective for 24 hours. Items should be washed gently in warm water before sterilisation to rinse the flow sensor after patient use. 

1.2.2 After the first rinse, you cold sterilise it in your Milton solution mix for at least 15 minutes. Following this you then rinse gently again in warm water after sterilisation to prevent crystalline build up on the equipment.  

1.2.3 After the final rinse, take out the equipment and leave to air dry. All equipment must be fully dry before use. Flow sensors can be dried stood up vertically on a paper towel until the variable orifice contains no moisture. 

1.2.4  It is important when exposing the flow sensor to water, that liquid should not be directly run through the sensor (i.e under a tap) as this will damage the variable orifice.(See picture below.) 

Instead, the flow sensor should be gently moved in a sideways motion in the solution to prevent damage when cleaning.

                  (Damaged Flow sensor)                                                                                        (New Flow sensor)

● 1.2.4.1 The Tablet form offers quick and effective sterilisation to European Norms.

● 1.2.4.2 Kills 99.9% of germs including bacteria, fungi and viruses

● 1.2.4.3 Effective on Rotavirus, MRSA and the swine flu virus 

2. Proofs of efficacy to European norms

(Taken from Milton Website)

2.1 Bactericidal: in 1 minute EN1040, in 5 minutes EN1276 including MRSA. Effective on Listeria, Salmonella and Campylobacter

2.2 Fungicidal: in 1 minute on Candida albicans (germ responsible for thrush, in 15 minutes EN1650 on Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger

2.3 Virucidal: in 15 minutes EN14476 against Poliovirus 1 and Adenovirus 5

 3. Precautionary Measures

 3.1 Flow Tube sets can be changed between each test as a precaution. The sample line draws gas under a constant  vacuum during use and as such is only drawing gas away from the subject. 

They can be wiped down with cleaning wipe. We recommend they are hung up for 72 hours between tests.

In the event that you wish to sterilise the flow tube set this can be done using the same Milton Solution but care must be taken to first remove the Nafion tube. This is the tube that runs off the end of the flow tube set and is connected to the filter. (Pictured below). It can be removed by unscrewing the luer lock fitting at the end part of the tube set where the gas sample line connects to the Nafion tube and particulate filter.

3.2 The entire piece must be completely dry prior to use. It is possible to flush these lines with the use of a syringe to pass cleaning solution into the lines, this is done using a luer lock fitting syringe. They should be rinsed with clean water after sterilisation to prevent crystalline build up within the tube set. They then should be hung up for 72 hours to ensure the tubes are dry, as any moisture in the tubes will be pulled into the gas analyser and will damage it requiring a full repair. Damage caused by moisture is not covered by the service contract.

3.3 All other surfaces should be cleaned as per the trust SOP. If you have any specific concerns regarding chemicals, please contact us.