Guidelines for the Use of Placebo Inhaler Devices, Peak Flow ...

Approved by:
On:
Infection Control Guidelines
for the use of Respiratory
Devices in Clinical Practice
Review Date:
Originator/Reviewer:
Trust Reference:
Signature:
Leicester, Leicestershire &
Rutland Non Acute Infection
Control Committee
September 2006
September 2008
Community Infection
Prevention & Control
Nurses
PC007
.....................................................
Anna Barrett
Director of Nursing & Quality
LCR PCT
Chair LLR Non-Acute IC Committee

Guidelines for the use of Respiratory Devices
in Clinical Practice
The potential risk of cross infection around the multi-patient use of placebo
inhaler devices, spacer devices, peak flow meters, and inspiratory flow meters
has recently been identified nationally and locally as an issue in both acute
and primary healthcare settings. Current practice is variable and has the
potential for poor clinical practice and placing the patient at risk (Clancy
2003).
The British Thoracic Society (2005) has recently published practical
recommendations relating to the cleaning and decontamination of these
devices and this has led to some confusion amongst clinicians.
Medical devices identified by a manufacturer as ‘single use’ are intended to
be used on an individual patient during a single procedure and then
discarded. It is not intended that they be reprocessed and used on another
patient or the same patient on another occasion.
The following symbol is used on medical device packaging indicating “Do Not
Reuse” and may replace any wording
Manufacturers of medical devices have also identified some of their products
as ‘single patient use’ and as such they are not intended for repeated use by
several different patients.
Peak Flow Meters
Disposable mouthpieces with one-way expiratory valves must always be
used.
Inspiratory Flow Meters
Inspiratory flow meters can be used to check inspiratory flow and correct
inhalation technique. Disposable mouthpieces with one-way inspiratory valves
must always be used. Disposable mouthpieces with both inspiratory and
expiratory valves can be purchased.
Dry Powder Devices
Dry powder devices can be used for demonstration purposes only (to
demonstrate to patients the correct procedure for loading and operating the
device).
PC007 – Respiratory Devices in Clinical Practice Guidelines
Final – September 2006
Review Date – September 2008
Community Infection Prevention and Control Nurses
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