How to Protect and Maintain Patient Monitors?

author: Myra | Engineer of International Sales | UTECH

2024-02-23

The patient monitor is an automated and intelligent instrument. It is mainly used to monitor the patient's physical parameters and plays an important role in ensuring the life safety of critically ill patients. Patient monitors are also the most widely used electronic equipment in hospitals. Medical staff should pay attention to daily use, maintenance and disinfection to ensure that the machine reaches its best working condition.

1.Precautions

Dustproof

Various optical components and some switches, electric shocks, etc. in the instrument should be kept clean at all times. In addition, since the NBP cuff is tied to the patient for a long time, it needs to be cleaned regularly to remove the odor on the cuff, especially for some patients with bleeding and vomiting.

Moisture-proof

Optoelectronic components and electronic components in the instrument are prone to mildew and damage when exposed to moisture. Therefore, it is necessary to turn on the instrument for regular inspection and frequently replace the desiccant in a timely manner. This is actually the same as household appliances at home. When not in use for a long time, they should be turned on regularly to drive away moisture and achieve moisture-proof purposes. During the Huangmei season, the weather is the most humid, so you should pay more attention at this time.

Heat protection

High-precision electronic instruments are relatively delicate, and temperatures that are too high or too low will affect their normal operation. Monitors generally require appropriate working and storage environments and small temperature fluctuations, so it is generally best to configure a temperature regulator. Generally, the most suitable temperature is to keep it at 20℃~25℃. In addition, it is required to stay away from heat sources such as infrared therapy devices and avoid direct sunlight.

Anti-vibration

Vibration will not only affect the performance and measurement results of the monitor, but also cause damage to certain precision components. Therefore, it is required to place the instrument on a workbench or vibration-absorbing table away from the vibration source.

Anti-corrosion

During the use and storage of the instrument, avoid contact with environments containing corrosive gases and liquids such as acids and alkalis to prevent components from being corroded and damaged.

2.Cleaning and disinfection

Turn off the monitor and disconnect it from the AC power→Clean the outside of the main unit→Clean the display screen→Clean the cables and sensors→Wipe the cleaned parts with a dry cloth or air-dry→If there is contamination with patient secretions, you can first use chlorine-containing Wipe with disinfectant, then wipe with clean water and dry → Place the device in a ventilated and cool environment to air dry.

3.How to clean cables

Please wipe the outer surface of the cable with 75% alcohol, and be careful not to let liquid flow into the cable connector. Also do not immerse in liquid.
If there is tape residue on the wire, use tape remover to wipe it away and then disinfect it.
Air dry naturally or clean with a clean, dry cloth.
Excessively long wires can be bent into larger circles and tied up, and fixed for ease of use. Single-use parts must be discarded and cannot be washed and prepared for reuse.
During standby, each lead wire and connecting tube should be bundled and fixed separately, and placed in a plastic bag or cloth bag to keep them clean and tidy for easy reuse.

4.Cleaning method of blood oxygen probe？

Remove the sensor from the patient and remove it from the monitor.
Please wipe the sensor with 75% alcohol and then dry it with a dry cloth. (You can also clean the light emitting and receiving parts) Be careful not to let liquid flow into the cable connector. Also do not immerse in liquid.

The rest is the same as the cable cleaning.

5.How to clean the cuff？

The cuff cannot be dry cleaned, but it can be machine washed or hand washed. Hand washing can extend the service life. Before cleaning, the rubber bag should be removed. After washing, wait for the sleeve to dry before reinstalling the rubber bag.
Cuffs can be sterilized by conventional methods, such as high-pressure sterilization, gas or radiation sterilization, and sterilization by immersion in decontamination solutions. (The cuff is now replaced twice a week and sent to the supply room for disinfection and backup).
(For special infection treatment) Soak the cuff in 0.5g/L chlorine-containing disinfectant (or 75% alcohol) for 30 minutes, then rinse it with clean water and dry it in the air for later use.