Caring correctly for your stretcher will help extend the service life of your product and help to combat harmful cross contamination.
In this article you’ll read the recommended best practices for cleaning our range of medical stretchers and mattresses, the Do’s & Don'ts when cleaning a stretcher and the importance of infection control in a hospital setting.
How to best clean a stretcher?
Surface cleaning is recommended for routine circumstances for your medical stretchers.
- Do not hose, soak or submerge your stretcher. Surface clean only.
- Disinfect using institution approved procedures; ensuring the surfaces are decontaminated, free from residues and dry before use;
- With alcohol based sanitisers* or
- With appropriate water-based residual removers, or
- Quaternary ammonium compounds*
- * Institution approved brands at manufacturer’s recommended concentrations.
TO CLEAN and DISINFECT?
- Consult your facility contamination control plan.
- Consult care instructions for the accessories including mattress that have been supplied separately.
- Spot clean any visible soiling.
- Wipe over all surfaces with a suitable disinfectant, ensuring a suitable contact time.
- Rinse or remove residues as merited.
- Store indoors in a clean and dry environment, protected from contamination.
How to best clean a stretcher mattress?
To care for your stretcher mattress, surface cleaning is recommended for routine circumstances.
- Do not breach the fabric surface with sharps or other abrasive materials.
- Disinfect using institution approved procedure; ensuring the surfaces are decontaminated, free from residues and dry before covering with a sheet;
- With alcohol based sanitisers* or
- With Quaternary ammonium compounds* or
- With Aldehydes* or
- With Peroxides*
- *Selected brands at manufacturer’s recommended concentrations.
The Do’s and Don’ts you should know before cleaning your stretchers.
- Do not remove any fixtures or fittings integral to the safe operation and use the stretcher
- Do, allow fluid to contact electrical fittings, fixtures or connectors
- If you suspect significant contamination, consider fogging and/or UVC exposure in conjunction with advice from MODSEL and your contamination control representative.
- DO NOT USE BRUSHES OR PHYSICALLY ABRASIVE CLEANERS. These will destroy the waterproof coating of the fabric. WIPE WITH A CLEAN CLOTH DAMPENED WITH A MILD DETERGENT SOLUTION (OR) APPROVED SANITISER. RESIDUES CAN BE REMOVED WITH CLEAN WATER. DO NOT SCRUB ZIP AROUND ZIPPER.
- If you suspect contamination, remove cover, inspect and, if merited, machine wash. DO NOT DRY CLEAN.
- To HOT MACHINE WASH; Where laundering is required, wipe the surface as clean as possible and sanitize using a suitable disinfectant. Fully unzip cover and remove mattress core TAKING CARE not to contaminate the foam core. Store foam core flat in a clean, dry location, protected from contamination. Leave the zipper open as fabric is waterproof and the interior will not be correctly laundered if the zipper is closed.
- DO NOT PIN or STAPLE labels etc on cover, as this will breach the waterproof integrity of the fabric. If identification is required WRITE ON THE COVER USING LAUNDRY SAFE FELT TIPPED MARKER.
- HOT WATER and most chemical SANITISERS can be used. RINSE WELL.
- DO NOT WRING. DRY FLAT where possible. DRY, NATURALLY AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AWAY FROM DIRECT HEAT. DO NOT IRON. When completely dry, refit to foam core. Close the zipper completely. Store flat, clean and dry when not in use. Protect from contamination.
How do I tell if my stretcher mattress needs replacing?
There are a few key tells that will indicate when your stretcher mattress needs replacement.
ALWAYS discard a mattress if the;
- Fabric cover is beached, worn or broken or
- Zipper does not fully close or
- Core is wet or malodorous or
- Mattress/cover no longer appears hygienic after prescribed cleaning procedure. Disinfect before disposal. DO NOT re-purpose or recondition this device.
Why is infection prevention for stretchers important?
With around 165,000 healthcare associated infections in Australian health facilities each year, according to NSW Health, it’s no wonder why surface cleaning has become a high priority for hospital staff especially given the circumstances we are all now facing.
Stretchers and medical mattresses are in constant contact with patients' skins which can cause easy transference of harmful bacteria and HAI’s. Hospitals have implemented strict rules around regular surface cleaning and this will continue to keep on top of infection prevention.
