Stopping the spread of bacteria and other pathogens goes beyond simple hand washing in a medical environment. Though blood pressure cuffs touch intact skin, cleansing is still required. Blood pressure cuffs are commonly used on many patients throughout the day. Disinfecting and cleaning medical equipment is critical to prevent disease and infection transmission, as well as reinfection in single use blood pressure cuffs. According to Virox, blood pressure cuffs will most likely not cause direct infections, but may contribute to secondary infections associated with health care workers or other patients using the blood pressure cuff. The cleaning process is quick and requires little effort.
Step 1
Put on a pair of latex gloves. Place the blood pressure cuff in an empty sink. Use warm water and a scrub brush to cleanse the blood pressure cuff. Rub the inner and outer sides of the blood pressure cuff to remove debris and soiled areas.
Step 2
Use a clean paper towel or soft cloth and wipe the area with 60 to 90 percent ethyl or isopropyl alcohol. Use commercially available prepackaged wipes, if available. Or, use a water and bleach solution. Middlesex-London Health Unit says to mix together 1 tsp. household bleach to 2 cups warm water and place into a spray bottle. You can also use household detergents.
Step 3
Leave the solutions on the blood pressure cuff for one minute, unless otherwise noted. Lay the blood pressure cuff on a flat surface or hang to air dry.
Tips and Warnings
- Blood pressure cuffs fall into the category of noncritical items because the devices only touch intact skin, not mucous membranes. Additional medical supplies falling into this category include bedpans, crutches and heating pads. The blood pressure cuffs may be decontaminated where they are used, and do not need to be transported to a cleansing station, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Always clean the blood pressure cuff before each use. Some blood pressure cuffs may be placed into the washing machine. Check the cuff's label to determine if the cuff may be laundered. Never place in the dryer; always air dry the cuff.
Things You'll Need
- Latex gloves
- Scrub brush
- Paper towel or soft cloth
- Ethyl or isopropyl alcohol
- Bleach
- Spray bottle
- Household detergents
References
- AirForce Medicine: Cleaning and Disinfecting Blood Pressure Cuffs
- Virox: Patient Care Equipment or Device Cleaning and Disinfection Protocol
- Chicago Journals: Blood Pressure Cuff as a Potential Vector of Pathogenic Microorganisms: A Prospective Study in a Teaching Hospital
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008
- Middlesex-London Health Unit:: Mixing of Chlorine (Bleach) Solution for Disinfecting
