General cleaning may be insufficient to meet the special hygiene requirements to
prevent infections for patients with specific problems (e.g. MRSA, ORSA etc.),
who are subject to an increased danger of re-infection. We recommend chemical
disinfection of the tubes according to the instructions provided below. Please consult
your doctor/physician.
CAUTION!
Cleaning agent and disinfectant residues on the tracheostomy tube can lead to
irritations of the mucus membranes or other health impairments.
Tracheostomy tubes are considered as belonging to the category of instruments with hollow
cavities. Special care must therefore be taken when performing cleaning or disinfection that
the tube is fully wetted with the solution used and is unobstructed (see picture 8).
The solutions used for cleaning and disinfection must be freshly prepared prior to each use.
1. Cleaning
Fahl
tracheostomy tubes must be cleaned / replaced regularly in accordance with the
®
individual patient's needs.
Only use cleaning agents if the tube is outside the tracheostoma.
A mild, pH-neutral washing lotion can be used for cleaning the tube. We recommend using
the special cannula-cleaning powder (REF 31100) as directed by the manufacturer.
Never clean Fahl
tracheostomy tubes with cleaning agents that are not approved by the
®
manufacturer. Never use aggressive household cleaners, detergents, high-concentration
alcohol or denture cleaners.
This may be very hazardous to health. The tube may also be destroyed or damaged.
Tubes can also be cleaned by thermal disinfection at not more than 65 °C. Use clean water
with a temperature of not more than 65 °C for this purpose. Make sure that the temperature
is kept constant (use a thermometer to monitor the temperature) and never under any
circumstances expose the tubes to boiling water for disinfection. This could seriously
damage the tracheostomy tube.
Cleaning Steps
Cleaning the tracheostomy tubes without low-pressure cuff
Remove any additional items before cleaning.
First, rinse the tube thoroughly under running water (see picture 9).
Use only lukewarm water to prepare the cleaning solution and observe the instructions for
use of the cleaning agent.
We recommend the use of the cannula-cleaning tub with sieve insert (REF 31200) to
facilitate the cleaning procedure.
To do this, hold the sieve insert by the upper edge to prevent contact with and contamination
of the cleaning solution (see picture 10).
Place only one tracheostomy tube at a time in the sieve insert of the cannula-cleaning
tub. If more than one tube is cleaned at a time, they may be compressed too strongly and
damaged by excessive pressure.
You can place the inner and outer cannula side by side for this procedure.
Immerse the sieve insert with the tracheostomy tube components in the prepared cleaning
solution.
After the immersion time has expired (see instructions for use of the cannula cleaning
powder), wash the tracheostomy tube thoroughly several times with lukewarm, clear water
(see picture 9). There must be no residues of the cleaning agent on the tube when it is
inserted into the tracheostoma.
If necessary, for example, if persistent secretion residues cannot be removed by the cleaning
bath, additional cleaning with a special cannula-cleaning brush (OPTIBRUSH
or OPTIBRUSH
Plus with fibre top, REF 31855) may help. Only use the cleaning brush, if
®
the tube is removed and already outside the tracheostoma.
Always insert the cannula cleaning brush into the cannula from the cannula tip (see picture
11).
Use the brush as directed and proceed with great care to avoid damage to the soft tube
material.
27
EN
, REF 31850
®