Neonatal Unit Policy for Decontamination of Incubators

Aim
To provide a clean environment for the baby and prevent cross infection.


1. Decontamination of Incubators in Use
All cots/incubators that are occupied should be cleaned daily.

Equipment
Apron, gloves, detergent wipes and paper towels.

Procedure
1. Decontaminate hands.
2. Put on apron and gloves.
3. Clean incubator with detergent wipes and buff with paper towels.
3a. Always clean inside of incubator first. Dispose of cleaning
materials in clinical waste.
3b. Ensure that the incubator wheel base is free from dust.
3c. Following incubator cleaning, damp dust all equipment in space.

4. Dispose of cleaning materials in clinical waste.
5. Remove gloves and apron and dispose in clinical waste.
6. Decontaminate hands.
7. Document incubator cleaning on the Badger system.
8. Please ensure that each incubator has a Clean House label on.

Humidification Chambers
Humidification chambers not in use should be clean and dry.
Humidification chambers in use should be checked at the start of
each shift and topped up with distilled sterile water as necessary.
Humidification chamber in use should be changed weekly and
disinfected with Actichlor.
Change of humidification chamber should be recorded by attaching
signed and dated luggage label to incubator.


Incubator Change
Incubators should be changed and decontaminated at least every
four weeks as per Cleaning of Incubators Between Patient Use
Policy (see below).

Equipment on Incubators
Incubators should not be used for storing non-approved
equipment
1
.
All staff should not touch/lean on incubators unnecessarily.

1
The following equipment is approved: oxygen analyser, BOOST pulse oximeter and gloves.

2. Decontamination of Incubators After Patient Use
Incubators should be cleaned and disinfected between each baby.

Equipment
Apron, gloves, Actichlor disinfectant and cleaning tablets, cleaning
cloths and paper roll.

Procedure
1. Ensure air conditioning system is on and utility room door closed.
2. Decontaminate hands.
3. Put on apron and gloves.
4. Empty incubator of any equipment, baby clothes and linen.
5. Dismantle incubator as per Giraffe Manufacturer Guidelines 4-3.
6. Completely remove side doors, inner wall and porthole seals.
7. Wash inside of incubator with Actichlor, and dry thoroughly with
paper roll.
8. Wash outside of incubator, including drip stands, shelves, infusion
pumps/ syringes and dry thoroughly with paper towel.
9. Dispose of cleaning material in clinical waste.
10. Remove gloves.
11. Thoroughly dry incubator parts before reassembly.
12. Remove apron.
13. Decontaminate hands.
14. Ensure appropriate documentation is completed: sign, date and
attach luggage label to incubator.
15. Plug incubator in to mains electrical supply and leave to warm at a
temperature of 35C.

Humidification Chambers
Disassemble the humidifier.
Clean humidifier and reservoir with Actichlor.
Thoroughly dry parts before reassembly.
Cleaning of humidification chamber should be recorded by
attaching signed and dated luggage label to incubator.


Air Filters
The filter should be replaced whenever it appears dirty
The minimum filter replacement is quarterly.


3. Incubator Storage

All cleaned incubators that are not required on the neonatal unit are
stored in an approved area.
Designated approved area is located on 2
nd
floor LWH.
All incubators in storage should have a clear plastic cover on.
Incubators should be re-cleaned before use if stored for more than
two weeks or if there is no evidence of that cleaning has been
performed.



4. Faulty equipment
Any faulty or damaged equipment should be removed from use,
decontaminated, recorded on Decontamination Form and reported to the
Biomedical Engineering Department. Please refer to Infection
Prevention and Control Policy 7.7.




References

Liverpool Women's Hospital NHS Foundation (2009) Infection Control Policy.

Birmingham Womens Hospital (2009) Neonatal Unit Policy for Cleaning and
Disinfection on Incubators / Cots.

Giraffe OmniBed Manual (2001) OHMEDA Medical.






May 18
th
2009 (version 3-NICU112)