Cleaning supplies and equipment
Definition
Germs from a person may be found on any object the person touched or on equipment that was used during their care. Some germs can live many weeks on a dry surface.
Germs on any surface can pass to you or another person. This is why it is important to disinfect supplies and equipment.
To disinfect something means to clean it to destroy germs. Disinfectants are the cleaning solutions that are used to disinfect. Disinfecting supplies and equipment help prevent the spread of germs.
Follow your workplace policies on how to clean supplies and equipment.
Disinfecting Supplies and Equipment
Start by wearing the right personal protective equipment (PPE). Your workplace has a policy or guidelines on what to wear in different situations. This includes gloves and, when needed, a gown, shoe covers, and a mask. Always wash your hands before putting on gloves and after taking them off.
Catheters or tubes that go into blood vessels are either:
- Used only one time and then thrown away
- Sterilized so they can be used again
Clean reusable supplies, such as tubes like endoscopes, with an approved cleaning solution and procedure before they are used again.
For equipment that touches only healthy skin, such as blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes, clean with a light- or medium-level cleaning solution between uses with different people.
Use cleaning solutions approved by your workplace. Choosing the correct one is based on:
- The type of equipment and supplies you are cleaning
- The type of germs you are destroying
Read and follow directions carefully for each solution. You may need to allow the disinfectant to dry on the equipment for a set period of time before rinsing it off.
References
Calfee DP. Prevention and control of health care-associated infections. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 261.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Disinfection and sterilization. www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/index.html. Updated May 24, 2019. Accessed October 20, 2023.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Germs live in the environment. www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/projectfirstline/healthcare/germs-environment.html. Updated March 11, 2022. Accessed October 29, 2023.
Review Date:10/13/2023
Reviewed By:Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.
Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.
