Table 3.
Sanitization and sterilization procedure for the sleep study
| S.N. | Part of the equipment/space | HSAT | In-lab study | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrying case | Should be cleaned using soft cloth or tissue soaked with mild detergent or soapy water or 70% isopropyl alcohol or quaternary ammonium compound etc | Not applicable | Equipment and sleep laboratory used ones, should not be used at least for 72 h before next study |
| 2 | Sensors | |||
| A | Gold cup electrodes | Should be cleaned using soap and water | ||
| B | Cannula | Should be disposed after single use taking all aseptic precautions | Dispose after single use taking all aseptic precautions | |
| C | Effort belts | Should be washed with standard home laundry detergent and air dried. Alternatively, 70% isopropyl alcohol or quaternary ammonium compounds can also be used | Should be washed with standard home laundry detergent and air dried. Alternatively, 70% isopropyl alcohol or quaternary ammonium compounds can also be used | |
| D | SPO2 sensor and oximetry module |
If disposable, to be discarded safely after single use If reusable, to be cleaned as per manufacturer’s instructions or with 70% isopropyl alcohol or quaternary ammonium compounds |
If disposable, to be discarded safely after single use If reusable, to be cleaned as per manufacturer’s instructions or with 70% isopropyl alcohol or quaternary ammonium compounds |
|
| E | Other sensors e.g., body position sensor, snore sensor | Should be cleaned with 70% isopropyl alcohol or quaternary ammonium compounds | Should be cleaned with 70% isopropyl alcohol or quaternary ammonium compounds | |
| F | Masks | The mask can be washed gently using an enzymatic detergent and a soft bristle brush. It is then rinsed thoroughly, drained and finally air-dried in indirect sunlight. Masks can also be thermally disinfected at 70 degrees Celsius for 100 mins | The mask can be washed gently using an enzymatic detergent and a soft bristle brush. It is then rinsed thoroughly, drained and finally air-dried in indirect sunlight. Masks can also be thermally disinfected at 70 degrees Celsius for 100 mins | |
| Sleep laboratory | All surfaces should be cleaned with disinfectant before and after sleep study, bed linen should be changed daily | |||
| Monitoring room | All surfaces should be cleaned with disinfectant daily |
Caution: Heat/ autoclave/ gas/ pressure should not be used to sterilize the equipment. Also, advisable to avoid glutaraldehyde treatment of the device and equipment