CARE
OF RUBBER GOODS
Common rubber goods used in
hospitals are air cushions, mackintoshes, hot water bags, rubber tubes,
catheter, gloves, and rubber beds.
Following points must be considered
for care of rubber goods in hospitals.
·
Rubber
goods should be washed with a mild soap, rinsed thoroughly as soap deteriorates
rubber and dried before putting away.
·
Rubber
should be stores in a cool place, protected from air by an air tight covering
of paper or by storing
in a tightly covered metal container to prevent rapid
oxidation.
·
Repeated
folding is likely to case cracks
·
Sheets
and cases of rubber should be rolled or hung over a bar in a cool place
·
For
cleaning tubing , plenty of cold water should be forced through the tube
·
Hot
water bags, ice caps and air rings should be partially inflated before being
put away.
Care of Rubber Articles after use
·
Decontaminate
by immersing in a tub of 0.5% chlorine/ sodium hypochlorite /chlorhexidine
solution
·
Spread
the mackintosh on a flat surface and wet it by pouring water on it
·
Use
a piece of clean cloth or a plastic scrubber to apply soap and wash away the
soap using water
·
Repeat
the above process on the other side
·
Dry
it in the shade on a dry, horizontal surface by exposing both sides to air
·
When
dry, powder it lightly with dusting powder and roll it with a paper lining.
Rubber tubes and catheters
1. Hold the rubber tube upside down
under running water to let the stream of water run through it.
2. Use stick to remove any organic
matter blocking the tip of the tube and eye of the catheter. if needed. Ensure
patency
3. Use soap and water to clean the dirt
and grease on the surface of the catheter or tube
4. Hang the tubes and catheters to dry
in a cool/ shady place
5. After drying, separate similar
sized catheters and tube
6. Powder the outer surface using the
dusting powder; coil the tube by securing the tip
into the broader end
7. Wrap individual tubes and catheters
using a piece of thin cloth and boil for 5 minuteš or autoclave.
Hot water bottles, ice cap, air
cushion
1.
Remove
the outer cloth cover of each item after use. Decontaminate the air cushion
cover
2.
Empty
the container, for e.g. remove water from the bottle, ice cubes from the cap
and
collar.
3.
Deflate the air cushion. Clean the outside of
the air cushion with soap and water as it may be soiled with fecal matter or
urine
4.
Wipe
the outer surface of the hot water bottle, ice cap, and collar using a piece of
clean damp cloth
5.
Hang
these upside down and let drip dry.
6.
Blow
air into each of the above mentioned rubber items and close the cap/valv
e
7.
Check
each rubber item for leakage of air or water as the case may be before storing
and after each use so as not to cause any harm to client.
8.
Store
in a cool, dry place
9.
Send
for laundry and store separately in linen.
Gloves
1. It is desired that the wearer of
the gloves should wash them on the hands just before
they are removed to prevent adherence of blood and other
organic materials.
2. After removing, wash them with
soap. and cold water, first on the outside, then invert and repeat
on the inside
3. Rinse well with water the inside
and outside as described above.
4. Holes and tears are discovered by
submerging the glove filled with air in the water. If there are holes the
bubbles will pass up through the water. Separate torn gloves
5. When both sides are completely dry,
they are powered inside and outside the packed in pairs of the same size, right
and left gloves in glove wrappers.
6. The torn gloves are patched or
vulcanized and may be reused.
7. Steam under pressure is the best
method of sterilizing gloves. The pressure is kept at a minimum to prevent
melting of the gloves.
Ambu bag and face
mask
1. Wipe
the bag and the rubber part of the face mask using a piece of clean damp cloth
2. Disinfect
using a cotton ball soaked in pure salvon or methylated spirit or 70%
alcohol.
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