Fahl TRACHEOTEC Instrucciones De Uso página 24

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
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EN
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.
The outer cannula must only be cleaned with the cuff inflated, and the safety balloon must
not come into contact with the cleaning solution in order to prevent intrusion of cleaning
solution into the balloon, since this would lead to serious functional impairment and health
risks for the user.
Thoroughly rinse the tube or button under lukewarm running water or sterile saline solution
(0.9% NaCl solution).
Dry the tube thoroughly with a clean and lint-free cloth after wet cleaning.
Never use tracheostomy tubes with impaired functionality or with damages such as sharp
edges or cracks, because this may lead to injuries of the mucus membranes in the trachea.
If damages are found, the tube must not be used under any circumstances.
The obturator can be cleaned in the same way as the tracheostomy tube.
Cleaning the tracheostomy tubes with low-pressure cuff
The indwelling time and thus the replacement intervals of the tracheostomy tube must be
determined individually in consultation with the treating doctor/physician. The outer cannula
must be cleaned or the tracheostomy tube replaced after 1 week at the latest though, since
after that the risk of formation of granulation tissue or of tracheomalacia, etc. can increase
significantly, depending on the patient's disease condition.
The outer cannula with cuff can be cleaned/rinsed with sterile saline solution.
A brush must not be used for tracheostomy tubes with cuff in order to avoid damaging the
balloon!
Damage to the balloon and hence a defect of the tracheostomy tube can only be avoided
by careful and gentle handling.
2. Chemical Disinfection Instructions
2.1 Disinfecting the inner cannula / cleaning the outer cannula without low-pressure
cuff
The Fahl tracheostomy tube can be disinfected by cold disinfection with special chemical
®
disinfectants.
Disinfection should always be done if ordered by a doctor/physician due to specific health
concerns caused by disease, infection, or your specific situation.
Disinfecting is generally indicated to prevent cross-infection and in inpatient situations (e.g.
hospitals, nursing homes, and/or other health care facilities) to limit infections.
CAUTION
Always clean according to the cleaning procedure described above before proceeding
to disinfection (if applicable).
Disinfectants that release chlorine or that contain strong alkalis or phenol derivatives
must under no circumstances be used. This could badly damage or even destroy the
tracheostomy tube.
2.2 Disinfecting the outer cannula with low-pressure cuff
Tracheostomy tubes with low-pressure cuff may only be disinfected provided that this is
performed and checked with utmost care. The balloon must always be inflated beforehand.
Since even minor carelessness during disinfection of outer cannulas with low-pressure cuff
can lead to damage and functional impairment of the same, we recommend replacement of
the cannula instead of disinfection.
Disinfection steps
For this purpose, OPTICIT tube disinfectant (REF 31180; not available in
®
the USA) should be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
As alternative, we recommend a disinfectant based on glutaric aldehyde as active ingredient
(also available in the USA). Always observe the area of application and spectrum of activity
specified for the disinfectant by the manufacturer.
Follow the instructions for the disinfectant.
Dry the tube thoroughly with a clean and lint-free cloth after wet cleaning.
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