Respiratory equipment including oxygen concentrators, nebulizers, CPAP and BI-PAP devices are potentially lifesaving tools for many people. Proper care and maintenance is very important for proper functioning of respiratory equipment.

1. Care and Maintenance of
Respiratory Equipment

2. Respiratory equipment including oxygen concentrators,
nebulizers, CPAP and BI-PAP devices are potentially
lifesaving tools for many people. Proper care and
maintenance is very important for proper functioning of
respiratory equipment.
Here, we will discuss general maintenance and proper care of
respiratory equipment.

3. Clean properly
To prevent bacteria growth, the respiratory equipment should
be inspected before each use and cleaned as often as
necessary. Use rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth or gauze pads
to clean the equipment. If needed, dry the equipment with a
clean paper towel and throw the towel away. Also clean the
equipment after each use to prevent buildup of debris.
For any medical equipment that with filters, inspect once a
month to ensure they are still in good condition. This is
important even if you don’t use the equipment regularly.
Filters can deteriorate over time. If you are unsure of the
cleaning/replacement schedule for your equipment, check
with your manufacturer or distributor for their
recommendations.

4. Before and after cleaning equipment, make sure you wash
your hands thoroughly to prevent cross contamination.
Disinfect after each use
Besides keeping it clean, another important aspect of medical
equipment maintenance is disinfecting after each use.
Equipment, particularly, respirators contain moisture; so there
is a possibility of bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc., to grow. There
are different disinfecting procedures depending on the
equipment you are using. Check with your manufacturer or
distributor for more information.

5. Some equipment need not be disinfected – they just need to
be cleaned. This will depend on what type of equipment you
are using.
Replace the disposable parts
Some parts of the respiratory equipment like the material
inside the mask, oxygen tubing, and nasal cannula cannot be
safely cleaned and reused. They often need to be disposed
after every use. Make sure these parts are replaced before or
after each use. Standardizing this process can help ensure
that disposable parts are not reused. Check for dirt, cracks or
discoloration on the tubing once in a week and replace the
tubing it if you notice any potential problems.

6. Storage
Medical equipment should be stored in a clean and dry
location so that it is not exposed to dust, direct sunlight,
moisture, extreme temperatures or other potentially hazardous
forces.
Even when not in use medical equipment can deteriorate over
time, make sure that you are regularly inspecting it. If you
notice any damaged or defective parts, stop using the
equipment and repair or replace the equipment.

7. Many types of medical equipment need to be serviced by
qualified technicians at regular intervals. Make sure you are
aware of this schedule so that your equipment stays in great
shape for your patients.
Proper care and maintenance of respirators are essential for
safe and effective operation of the equipment. Keep your
equipment maintained. You will not only save money through
longer equipment life, but will also ensure your equipment is
safe and effective for your patients.

8. Medical Support Products Inc is a respiratory medical
supplies dealer and online retailer since 1989. We sell, service
and repair ventilators, concentrators, BiPAPs, CPAPs, smart
monitors and more. We also buy used respiratory equipment.
Our used respiratory equipment is cleaned and ready to use.
For more details, please visit www.mspinc.com.