Cleaning equipment

In forced expiratory maneuvers the patient not only expels air, but also saliva and/or sputum (see references). This contaminates the flow transducer of the spirometer and may cause it to malfunction.

• Nearly all flow transducers can be disassembled and cleaned in water with a detergent. Deposit the transducer for about half an hour in a solution of washing agent with proteolytic enzymes, moving it to and fro at regular intervals.
• Thereafter most transducers can be disinfected 15 minutes in 95% alcohol.
• Subsequently rinse the transducer with distiller water, and leave it upside down to dry in air.

NEVER USE SHARP OBJECTS OR OTHER DEVICES TO THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE INSIDE OF A FLOW TRANSDUCER.

Turbines, hot wires, fins, etc. are very vulnerable, and repairs or replacements are costly!

References

1. Werkgroep infectie preventie: Preventie van besmetting met tuberculose in ziekenhuizen. (Working group prevention of infection: Prevention of infection with tuberculosis in hospitals). January 1995 ISBN 90-73292-35-2.
2. Verhey NE. Longfunctie apparatuur en hygiene. (Lung function equipment and hygiene). Ziekenhuisinfectie en preventie 1990; 90: 63-65.
3. Clausen JL. Pulmonary function testing, guidelines and controversies. Academic Press 1982.
4. Quanjer PhH, Tammeling GJ, Cotes JE, Pedersen OF, Peslin R, Yernault JC. Lung volumes and forced ventilatory flows. Eur Respir J 1993; 6 suppl. 16: 5-40. Erratum Eur Respir J 1995; 8: 1629.
5. American Thoracic Society. Standardization of spirometry: 1994 update. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1995; 152: 1107-1136, see section on Hygiene and infection control.