Hi
I would be keen to understand what each Trusts IPC guidance is around cleaning returned walking aids if people are happy to share. Secondly, has their been challenge around cleaning the inside of the frames and crutches (eg inside the tubes).
Kind Regards
Kerry
Hi Kerry, would you like me to cross-post this to the IPC network, too?
Yes please - thank you
Hi Kerry, thanks for your question - there are general guidelines and SOPs in the Greener NHS toolkits https://www.england.nhs.uk/ahp/greener-ahp-hub/understanding-environmen… . The main guideline is that as they do not touch open wounds they can be wiped down with a damp cloth or sterile wipe and reused if checked over. There are many SOPs in different trusts about doing this - I'm happy to send you one from Sussex if that's useful - jacqueline.gordon3@nhs.net please do contact me. Are you thinking of doing this in your trust?
When we introduced it at sherwood forest hospitals, our IPC were satisfied with us clinell wiping them. The question was never raised about cleaning inside the metal tube. In cases where the aids were extreamly dirty, we made a decision to dispose of them
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