26
EN
Regular disinfection is only required if this is indicated from the medical point of view as ordered
by the doctor/physician. The reason for this is that the upper airways are not free of microbes
in healthy patients either.
General cleaning may be insufficient to meet the special hygiene requirements to prevent
infections for patients with specific problems (e.g. MRSA, ORSA etc.), who are subject to
an increased danger of re-infection. We recommend chemical disinfection of the tubes
according to the instructions provided below. Please consult your doctor/physician.
CAUTION!
Cleaning agent and disinfectant residues on the tracheostomy tube can lead to irritations
of the mucus membranes or other health impairments.
Tracheostomy tubes are considered as belonging to the category of instruments with hollow
cavities. Special care must therefore be taken when performing cleaning or disinfection that the
tube is fully wetted with the solution used and is unobstructed (see picture 8).
The solutions used for cleaning and disinfection must be freshly prepared prior to each use.
1. Cleaning
Fahl
®
tracheostomy tubes must be cleaned / replaced regularly in accordance with the individual
patient’s needs.
Only use cleaning agents if the tube is outside the tracheostoma.
A mild, pH-neutral washing lotion can be used for cleaning the tube. We recommend using the
special cannula-cleaning powder (REF 31110) as directed by the manufacturer.
Never clean Fahl
®
tracheostomy tubes with cleaning agents that are not approved by the
manufacturer. Never use aggressive household cleaners, detergents, high-concentration
alcohol or denture cleaners.
This may be very hazardous to health. The tube may also be destroyed or damaged.
Tubes can also be cleaned by thermal disinfection at not more than 65 °C. Use clean water with
a temperature of not more than 65 °C for this purpose. Make sure that the temperature is kept
constant (use a thermometer to monitor the temperature) and never under any circumstances
expose the tubes to boiling water for disinfection. This could seriously damage the tracheostomy
tube.
Cleaning Steps
Cleaning the tracheostomy tubes without low-pressure cuff
Remove any additional items before cleaning.
First, rinse the tube thoroughly under running water (see picture 9).
Use only lukewarm water to prepare the cleaning solution and observe the instructions for use
of the cleaning agent.
We recommend the use of the cannula-cleaning tub with sieve insert (REF 31200) to facilitate
the cleaning procedure.
To do this, hold the sieve insert by the upper edge to prevent contact with and contamination of
the cleaning solution (see picture 10).
Place only one tracheostomy tube at a time in the sieve insert of the cannula-cleaning tub. If
more than one tube is cleaned at a time, they may be compressed too strongly and damaged
by excessive pressure.
You can place the inner and outer cannula side by side for this procedure.
Immerse the sieve insert with the tracheostomy tube components in the prepared cleaning
solution.
After the immersion time has expired (see instructions for use of the cannula cleaning powder),
wash the tracheostomy tube thoroughly several times with lukewarm, clear water (see picture
9). There must be no residues of the cleaning agent on the tube when it is inserted into the
tracheostoma.
If necessary, for example, if persistent secretion residues cannot be removed by the cleaning
bath, additional cleaning with a special cannula-cleaning brush (OPTIBRUSH
®
, REF 31850 or
OPTIBRUSH
®
Plus with fibre top, REF 31855) may help. Only use the cleaning brush, if the tube
is removed and already outside the tracheostoma.
Always insert the cannula cleaning brush into the cannula from the cannula tip (see picture 11).
Use the brush as directed and proceed with great care to avoid damage to the soft tube material.
In tracheostomy tubes with speaking valve, the speaking valve must first be detached from the
inner cannula. The valve itself must not be cleaned with the brush since it could otherwise be
damaged or break off.
