Cleaning and Sanitizing HME Equipment

Technical Bulletin | March 2020

The following provides guidelines and recommendations for the routine cleaning and sanitizing of HME equipment. These guidelines apply to external equipment surfaces only and do not apply to internal electrical / electromechanical surfaces. Some external equipment surfaces may not be accessible, such as small cracks and crevices, and, therefore, sanitization of the total surface area of equipment may not be attainable.

HME Drive-Thru Equipment

The Goal of Sanitization:

According to the CDC, "sanitization" lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level; it does not eradicate all germs.

A) Safety:

If possible, turn off equipment. Precautions should be taken when cleaning, such as wearing gloves and ensuring proper ventilation.

B) Do Not Use:

Harsh or abrasive cleaners of any kind as HME equipment contains materials and surfaces that may be damaged or deteriorate prematurely.

Cleaners to Avoid

C) Do Use:

A solution of one-part Isopropyl Alcohol and one-part water (preferably distilled). Once alcohol concentrations drop below 50%, usefulness for sanitizing drops sharply. Notably, alcohol concentrations above 50% do not increase usefulness for sanitizing.

D) Proper Cleaning:

E) Replacement Accessory Parts:

NOTE:

This technical bulletin is intended to serve as a practical guideline for keeping HME equipment clean and sanitized. HME does not claim or guarantee that cleaning and sanitizing HME equipment in this way will protect the user of the equipment from any virus, bacteria or other pathogen. Medical concerns should be directed to health care professionals.

Call 800-848-4468 for more information