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Monoplace Delivery System

Monthly Hyperbaric Safety Notice: February  2006

Cleaning and Decontamination of Tissue Oxygen Sensors

Introduction 

Transcutaneous oxygen screening is an important element of the case management of patients with wound healing deficiencies. As the sensor electrode and the cable may come into direct contact with the patient, a cleansing procedure must be in place to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.

The Issue 

Without adequate cleansing of the sensor electrode and cable, cross-contamination is a distinct possibility. An increasing number of patients are diagnosed with serious infectious diseases such as VRE, MRSA, HIV, etc., many others are infected but not presently diagnosed. Appropriate precautions and barriers are routinely required in today’s health care climate. This Notice will ensure that such precautions are extended to transcutaneous technology and patient testing.

Upon completion of every transcutaneous study, and prior to any further patient testing, the sensor and cable should be cleansed, as follows:

Spray the back of the sensor electrode head and the cable with Tor-HB (Huntington ®). Be careful not to allow any of this solution to come into contact with the electrode plug, and avoid Tor-HB contact with the membrane. Let sit for 10 minutes. Spray or rinse with sterile water for approximately 60 seconds or until all of the Tor-HB has been removed.

Prior to re-membraning the sensor electrode, following the testing of patients with significant infective states (examples include VRE, MRSA, HIV), or if the electrode comes into direct contact with a wound.

Remove the sensor electrode membrane. Immerse the electrode and cable, but not the cable plug, into dilute Tor-HB. Let sit for 10 minutes. Spray or rise with sterile water for approximately 60 seconds or until all Tor-HB has been removed. Dry off the sensor electrode with blotting paper and re-membrane.

Never heat sterilize the sensor membrane and cable.

Bottom Line  

In order to minimize the risk of cross-contamination during transcutaneous oxygen testing, the cleansing policies established within this Safety Notice will be adhered to.

Contributing Author: Dick Clarke, CHT

Dick ClarkeDick is President of National Baromedical Services, which he founded in 1986. His previous background included service in the British Royal Navy, diving instructor and underwater photographer, assistant director of the seabed habitat 'HydroLab' and several years in the offshore commercial diving industry. Dick heads the Baromedical Research Foundation where he serves as Principal Investigator for several international clinical trials. He is course director for 'Primary Training in Hyperbaric Medicine' and the 'HBO 2000' series of advanced hyperbaric symposia. Dick has been a NOAA Diving Medical Officer Training Course faculty member since 1983. He pioneered the Certification in Hyperbaric Technology (CHT) program, is a past president of the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology and remains active at the committee level within the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.

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