Home

  • Home
    • » e-Newsletters

OSHA warns to avoid hazards in cleaning electronic medical equipment

Infection Control Monitor, November 9, 2007

An October 31 public health notification identified hazards to patients and healthcare workers when using cleaning solutions on electronic medical equipment.

The warning, issued jointly by the CDC, OSHA, the Federal Drug Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency, says that the use of excessive cleaning and disinfectant liquids on certain electronic medical equipment has caused equipment fires and other damage, equipment malfunctions, and healthcare worker burns.

The public health notification specifically listed problems with equipment such as infusion pumps, ventilators, and patient-controlled analgesia pumps but says that the hazard warning "may be relevant to any equipment that has unsealed electronic circuitry or components, such as computer workstations, handheld devices and other monitoring equipment." You can find the notice at  www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/103107-cleaners.html.

Most Popular