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Re: twice daily disinfection of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus for Fire fighters

#71447 Quote
Glenys Harrington
Participant

Author:
Glenys Harrington

Position:
Consultant

Organisation:
Infection Control Consultancy (ICC)

State:

Thanks Helen,

In the first instance I would ask the manufacturer /supplier for their
cleaning and disinfecting recommendations. They are obliged to provide this
information to you as you are not necessarily familiar with reprocessing
procedures the item (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) will be able to
tolerate.

Once you have this information you will need to review it in terms of its
validity (i.e. ability to clean and/or disinfect between each officer use)
or if not suitable look at alternative methods that the manufacturer or
supplier will need to endorse (on company letterhead).

Regards

Glenys

Glenys Harrington

Consultant

Infection Control Consultancy (ICC)

PO Box 5202

Middle Park

Victoria, 3206

Australia

H: +61 3 96902216

M: +61 404 816 434

infexion@ozemail.com.au

ABN 47533508426

Of Helen Truscott
Contained Breathing Apparatus for Fire fighters

Hi Glenys,

Thanks for your reply.

The instructions are included in our current infection control manual, we
are trying to also determine where the initial supporting information was
sourced from.

We do know that the HAZMAT team was consulted , but this was more about the
operational use of the masks.

Kind regards

Helen

Of Glenys Harrington
for Fire fighters

Hi Helen,

I’m a bit unclear:

. Are the details provide below the instructions of the
manufacturers/supplier for the reprocessing of the “Self Contained Breathing
Apparatus” between each fire officer use or

. Are the details below the current practice of the “Fire Brigade
Unit” you are consulting too?

Can you clarify?

Regards

Glenys

Glenys Harrington

Consultant

Infection Control Consultancy (ICC)

PO Box 5202

Middle Park

Victoria, 3206

Australia

H: +61 3 96902216

M: +61 404 816 434

infexion@ozemail.com.au

ABN 47533508426

Of Helen Truscott
Contained Breathing Apparatus for Fire fighters

Dear AICA members

I have been asked to review the need for twice daily disinfection of Self
Contained Breathing Apparatus for Fire fighters. (Made of rubber and moulded
plastic).

Currently this is being done twice a shift and after each use.

Cleaning product use is Instrumax – Benzalkonium Chloride

Following instructions:

. Perform hand hygiene. Don disposable gloves.

. Disconnect the facemask or the extension facemask from the demand
valve.

. Rinse the facemask in clean running water (not hot). Drain out excess
water.

. Spray liberally with BA disinfectant (100%), paying attention to the
facial seal and inside the orinasal cup. From the outside of the mask, open
the flap below the demand valve connector and spray inside.

. Note: The facemask does not need to be completely dry before function
checking and use.

. I would welcome your opinions as to whether cleaning the SCBA up
to possibly three times a day is any more effective than simply after each
use?

. The masks, once cleaned are stored in a calico bag, the masks
still need to be inspected once per shift, but if the checker was wearing
nitrile gloves, would this require re disinfecting?

. Would there be an increase in mould on the facemasks, with this
frequency of disinfection?

. Is storage in a Calico bag likely to pose any infection risk in
itself ?

Regards

Helen

Helen Truscott RN
Team Leader-Health and Medical
Health & Safety Branch

Fire & Rescue NSW

E Helen.Truscott@fire.nsw.gov.au | T
02 9265 2976| F 02 9265 2986 | M 0417 677 802

http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au
Level 8, 227 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

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