Given that you use a scoop stretcher to transport seriously wounded patients, it needs to be cleaned and disinfected after every use. There is a specific way of cleaning a scoop stretcher to prevent cross-infection among patients. Read on, and we’ll show you exactly how to clean your scoop stretcher.
The table below illustrates the frequency of routine cleaning and maintenance processes.
| Maintenance schedule | Cleaned after every use? | Cleaned whenever it is necessary? | Cleaned monthly? |
| Cleaning | Yes | Yes | |
| Disinfecting | Yes | Yes | |
| Inspecting | Yes | Yes | Yes |
You’ll need warm water, soap, and a commercial disinfectant to clean your scoop stretcher. Additionally, gather some clean rags to wipe off stains, disinfect, and dry your stretcher.
To clean a scoop stretcher, begin by thoroughly removing any bodily fluid stains from the stretcher using water and soap. Disinfect the stretcher after you rinse off the soap.
Now, let’s delve deeper into the cleaning details.
What Cleaning Tools Do You Need?
An HDPE with aluminum alloy scoop stretcher
Before you begin the cleaning process, you have to gather all the tools you’ll need for the process, including:
- Soap
- Water
- Disinfectant
- A pair of gloves
- Soft pieces of soft cloth
Soap
You can use any soap to clean your scoop stretcher. But you’ll find it easier to use powder soap to make the soapy solution.
Warm Water
Although you can use lukewarm water, warm water is always better for the cleaning process. And that’s because warm water molecules move faster, creating more space between them. The additional space is important because it allows the water to dissolve more dirt during cleaning.
For the same reason, it’s also much easier to make a soapy solution with warm water than lukewarm water.
Disinfectant
Mix one part of bleach for every ten parts of water to create a solution that will kill the germs without damaging your stretcher. Alternatively, you can use disinfecting wipes that contain hydrogen peroxide.
You can use any disinfectant to clean your scoop stretcher as long as it contains sodium hypochlorite. The CDC recommends using household bleaches that contain approximately 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. Once you have the detergent, prepare a disinfecting solution by mixing it with water.
A Pair of Gloves
The primary reason why you need to wear gloves while cleaning is to protect yourself from the germs on the stretcher. Wearing gloves will also prevent you from spreading the germs on the stretcher.
In addition, gloves will protect your skin from the cleaning chemicals and, in particular, the disinfecting solution that may irritate your skin. For basic cleaning, wearing disposable nitrile, vinyl, or latex gloves will provide sufficient protection.
However, a pair of nitrile gloves are more suitable for use in the healthcare industry because they’re chemical and puncture-resistant.
Pieces of Soft Cloth
Look for some pieces of clean cloth—preferably soft ones—that you’ll use during the cleaning and disinfecting sessions. A non-abrasive material is preferable because it will not scratch the stretcher and leave marks during scrubbing. The most common materials for washing rugs include polypropylene, wool, and cotton.
The Cleaning Process
An adjustable aluminum alloy scoop stretcher
Once you have prepared all the tools you need, you can now begin the cleaning process by following the steps below.
Step #1: Wear Your Gloves
Your disposable nitrile gloves should fit snugly on your hand. They should not restrict you from flexing and moving your fingers. And you should do so without overstretching them. Thus, you have to wear the right glove size that fits your finger’s length and your palm’s width.
If you’re unsure of your glove size, you can always use a measuring tape to determine the size of your hand. You can then compare your measurements with those written on the disposable gloves box to determine the right fit.
Step #2: Prepare The Soap Solution
A soap solution makes the cleaning process easy because the soap is evenly distributed through the water. Make your soapy solution by mixing about five tablespoons of your powdered soap in 20 liters of warm water. Stir the mixture well using a stick until you notice suds forming.
Mixing in a bucket is much easier because the bucket’s design makes it easy to stir the solution.
Step #3: Position The Scoop Stretcher
The next step involves placing your scoop stretcher in a position that allows easy cleaning. You can raise it to your waist length, so you don’t have to bend a lot while cleaning. Alternatively, you can place it in an upright position to allow water to flow easily from the stretcher during cleaning. Also, extend the stretcher to its furthest position so you can access all surfaces during cleaning.
Step #4: Wet The Stretcher
When you wet the stretcher with soapy water, you loosen dirt so that by the time you begin whipping, it’ll easily come off. Don’t soak the stretcher. Instead, apply the soapy water using a rag.
Step #5: Scrub The Stretcher Gently Using A Rug
Begin by removing any stains.
If the stain proves stubborn, you can use a soft brush to scrub it off. However, ensure that you do not scrub the stretcher’s labels to avoid rubbing off important instructions.
Step #6: Rinse Off The Soap
Use clean water to rinse off the soap and detergent. Avoid using high pressure to rinse since this may damage or remove the labels.
Step #7: Dry The Stretcher’s Surface
Allow the stretcher to air dry before using another clean rug to dry it completely.
Step #8: Apply Disinfectant
Apply some disinfectant on another piece of cloth and wipe the entire stretcher with it. Pay more attention to the rails and handles since these are the areas likely touched during rescue missions—and, thus, areas that could easily transmit infections. Alternatively, you could disinfect it using wipes.
If you’re using wipes to disinfect, use a scrub and rub motion to disinfect the scoop stretcher. Ensure the stretcher remains wet from the disinfectant for about a minute. This wet contact time allows the disinfectant to work and eliminate any remaining germs.
Step #9: Dry The stretcher
Air-dry your scoop stretcher. Do not wipe it because doing so could reduce the effectiveness of the disinfectant.
Your scoop stretcher is now ready for the next use.
Conclusion
You need to follow a precise yet straightforward process while cleaning your scoop stretcher. Once you get your soap solution mixture, scrubbing rug, and rinsing water ready, wear your gloves and gently scrub every surface of the stretcher. Next, rinse the stretcher, allow it to air dry before applying your disinfectant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my scoop stretcher?
You should clean your stretcher after every use to keep the stretcher germ-free and ready for the next use.
Why is it important to clean a scoop stretcher?
Since you use the stretcher to move seriously injured patients, they could get infections from a dirty stretcher or even leave their germs on the stretcher. Cleaning after every use rids the stretcher of these germs and prevents cross-infections.
Can I use bleach to clean my scoop stretcher?
Yes, you can use bleach to clean your scoop stretcher, especially that containing sodium hypochlorite. You can refer to the article above for dilution instructions so you don’t damage your stretcher.
What do I need to clean a scoop stretcher?
You will need water, a mild detergent, and household bleach to thoroughly clean your scoop stretcher. Read through this article for a detailed explanation of how to clean your stretcher.
