Last Updated: 25 May 2020, 4:28PM (NZDT)
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in demand for medical products such as respiratory circuits and NIV masks, and it has also highlighted the potential for product shortages. Customers and healthcare professionals have asked for guidance on reprocessing single-use products and using products beyond the stated duration of use.
These devices are required to be prescribed by a clinician as per their intended use. If a device is used off-label, the user recognizes that it is not the approved use of the device and that the responsibility for doing so is their own.
F&P Healthcare DO NOT recommend reprocessing of, or reuse on multiple patients, of RT-series single-use products.
The information provided below may help explain why reprocessing of F&P Healthcare single-use products is not possible.
Effective reprocessing of any medical device involves three key steps to achieve sterilization: Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization. The success of each step is very dependent on the preceding steps achieving their expected level of sporicidal action.
Cleaning: The removal of gross contaminants or visible dirt from the device.
Disinfection: Destruction of the bulk of ‘invisible’ contaminants. For respiratory equipment that contacts mucous membranes, the minimum inactivation level is high-level disinfection (HLD). High-level disinfection destroys all microorganisms except large numbers of bacterial spores.
Sterilization: Destruction of all microbial life. Whenever sterilization is possible it is considered the default best practice.
Product*
Cleaning
Washer-Disinfectors
Chemical Disinfection
Sterilization
RT-series single-use respiratory circuits (RTXXX)
For RT-series circuits, the tube length, narrow bore, opaque circuit walls and corrugations make it very difficult to access all internal and external surfaces to remove any contaminants and virtually impossible to detect whether any dirt remains. This inability to immediately remove contaminants compromises the next step in the disinfection or sterilization process.
Many hospitals use washerdisinfectors for disinfection of respiratory circuits. Washer-disinfectors have specialized attachments that jet water, detergent and hot air through the tubes. This process will typically reach temperatures of at least 90 °C during the disinfection stage and possibly even higher during the drying stage. This temperature is very close to the softening temperature of the materials used in RT-series circuits and may lead to tube deformation and connector leaks.
Chemical disinfectant solutions are an alternative to washerdisinfectors. However, these rely on full wetting of all surfaces to achieve high-level disinfection. Complete wetting is challenging to accomplish in the tubes of single-use circuits, which will readily trap tiny air bubbles in each corrugation. Plastic respiratory circuits will also float near the surface of the solution making full wetting challenging to achieve. Respiratory circuits are untested with typical disinfection chemicals. These chemicals may degrade the polymers and compromise the circuit’s integrity.
Sterilization processes rely on the successful completion of the preceding reprocessing steps. F&P Healthcare believes achieving this will be unlikely for single-use corrugated respiratory circuits and single-use masks.
Irrespective of the proposed sterilization method, it will NOT result in a sterile respiratory circuit or mask suitable for use on another patient if the preceding cleaning and disinfection steps are not successfully completed.
FreeMotion™ mask range (RT040, RT041, and RT043)
Full disassembly of the mask components is required to allow the removal of gross contaminates. Disassembly of single-use masks is not possible, compromising the next step in the disinfection or sterilsation process.
This process will typically reach temperatures of at least 90 °C during the disinfection stage and possibly even higher during the drying stage. This temperature is very close to the softening temperature of our FreeMotion mask materials.
Single-use NIV masks are untested with typical disinfection chemicals. These chemicals may degrade the polymers and compromise the mask’s integrity.
Nivairo™ mask range (RT045, RT046, and RT047)
Full disassembly of the mask components is required to allow the removal of gross contaminates. Disassembly of single-use masks is not possible, compromising the next step in the disinfection or sterilization process.
The materials used in this mask are more able to withstand the temperatures of the disinfection process. However, because complete disassembly is unachievable, any gross contaminates left on the mask will compromise this process.
The risk of not achieving the desired level of disinfection or sterilization, and thus potentially infecting multiple patients, is significant.
Reprocessing also introduces a risk of material degradation in products that may impact the delivery of the desired therapy to the patient. These material-related risks vary depending on the product.
The main risks based on any damage through reprocessing are listed below:
Main Risks
F&P Healthcare DO NOT recommend using any product past its maximum duration of use.
Single-use products have a maximum duration of use which has been determined through extensive testing of the individual components and as a whole. Using these products past the stated duration of use can increase the risk of the product (or a single part) failing or not working as expected. Failures may result in harm to a patient.
Find clinical evidence and practice guidelines for delivering nasal high flow (aka HFNC) therapy.
Providing Optimal Humidity for intubated patients
Featuring under nose NIV masks (F&P Visairo) and full face NIV masks - (F&P Nivairo), with vented and non-vented options to suit your hospital NIV mask needs.
Establish effective spontaneous breathing or assist ventilation of the lungs
Respiratory support that replaces spontaneous breathing
Noninvasive respiratory support that provides a continuous distending pressure
Noninvasive respiratory support that delivers high flows of blended air and oxygen
Designed to work in harmony with the way patients naturally breathe while they sleep
F&P SleepStyle - designed to strike the balance between comfort and effective treatment
The AIRVO 2 family enables the transition of Optiflow therapy across critical, non-critical areas of the hospital and into the home.
Humidification for patients using a mask at home
Humidification for patients with a tracheostomy at home
A flow range of 2 to 60 L/min allows for use across the care continuum - from the most acute hospital environment to the home
With Optiflow you can independently titrate flow and FiO2 according to your patient's needs
Introducing F&P Evora™ Full, our new compact full face CPAP mask. Evora Full is minimal contact with full performance featuring our next generation of Dynamic Support Technology™
The adaptable, reliable and robust humidification system. Use with Evaqua™ 2 circuit technology to minimize condensate
Updates and support for healthcare professionals
Join our global team. View and apply for jobs with us.
Get in touch with our team, find a distributor or send an enquire.
We value your privacy. Our websites and applications use cookies to function properly and securely.