ET tube cleaning protocol

RE: ET tube cleaning protocol

Nicola Smith — Tue, 26 May 2015 21:30:52 GMT

We always soak in meddis after washing mainly because worried about viruses and know that covers viruses rather than just bacteria. Inflating cuff is a must as impossible to get properly clean without. Main issues with all methods is people not doing a thorough job and thinking a quick rinse is enough to get rid of gloopy mucus!!

RE: ET tube cleaning protocol

Sal the 1st — Tue, 26 May 2015 08:58:23 GMT

can somebody confirm that it causes damage? if somebody can confirm this for me I will review our tube cleaning. I spent a long time looking for articles on this last night but wasn't able to find anything on it damaging tubes. I did find quite a bit on different cleaners causing problems mainly due to residue causing blockages - mainly caused by inadequate rinsing or inadequate brushing. This is why I always check tubes before they are put away and always check them again immediately prior to use.

I have seen more tubes clogged up with Medis than any other product - but to be fair that isn't a fault of the product - more down to inadequate brushing and rinsing.

I still see people who think dropping a used tube in a bucket of whatever is 'cleaning it' they never touch it with a brush - and the only time they inflate a cuff is when it is sitting in a trachea (if you inflate the cuff when cleaning is a lot easier to get the grot off properly because it isn't trapped in any creases and if you keep it inflated and stick it in a bowl of water after your final rinse you can check for leaks which is something else that doesn't happen often enough IMO).

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2044.1996.tb12582.x/pdf - I already knew about this one and hibi residue but I can't find anything that says it causes damage

RE: ET tube cleaning protocol

Charlotte K — Mon, 25 May 2015 16:43:05 GMT

I thought hibi was really bad for ET tubes, damages them or something? Can't remember where I read this though?

RE: ET tube cleaning protocol

Sal the 1st — Wed, 20 May 2015 08:41:33 GMT

I am currently using hibi and a brush with no problems. At previous places I have used Milton after cleaning through with a brush and washing up liquid - old fashioned I know but never had problems (but remember no metal items -ie tube connectors), cidex - always have problems (I hate this stuff with a passion and it isn't safe) Meddis - not a fan at all. Marinol blue (if they even make it anymore) was another good one when made to the correct dilution. I think the previous poster has highlighted what I have found to be a major failing at most places I have worked whatever cleaning fluid is being used in that some people consistently will not use tube brushes or pipe cleaners and just expect the cleaning fluid to remove any grot.... it doesnt, contact times are important as well when they are given as is adequate rinsing

RE: ET tube cleaning protocol

Heather Bacon — Tue, 19 May 2015 14:26:02 GMT

We rinse through with water and clean with a pipe cleaner brush.

Then put in Meddis for 20-30 minutes. Then rinse through with water and use a pipe cleaner again.

We did have a problem when the tubes got left in the meddis for too long, and some people weren't using the pipe cleaners.

RE: ET tube cleaning protocol

zoe speck — Tue, 19 May 2015 10:58:21 GMT

we have been having trouble with our et tube cleaning, we have been usin hibi scrub to soak them in, however after rinsing etc we are stil getting clogs of dried hibi in tubes,, my head nurse said she looked into it and hibi scrub is the correct cleaning agent to use?? does anyone agree?

Re: ET tube cleaning protocol

Phrin Vernon RVN — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:53:33 GMT

I've always been taught medizyme to break down any gunk, rinse, then meddis. Then rinse and rinse and rinse

Re: ET tube cleaning protocol

Nicola Smith — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 15:28:49 GMT

We use meddis post thorough cleaning with tube brush etc - always make sure we rinse very thoroughly after and no problems.

Re: ET tube cleaning protocol

Ema24 — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:28:12 GMT

Washing up liquid - as read in the Jones 5th ed!

Re: ET tube cleaning protocol

Celine — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:59:25 GMT

Make sure you're only leaving the tubes in the liquid for the correct amount of time and no more.

I had a problem at a hospital I worked in where we would go through loads of ET tubes each day and they would be cleaned and then left in a tub of Meddis until near the end of the day, when they all were rinsed and left to dry together. Lots of gurgly cats! However you could smell the stuff on them still as the rubber and plastic seemed to absorb it, so we checked and they were only mean to be left in for 20 min!

Setting a timer as a batch went in was really easy and we had no more problems