Which sensors need to be cleaned and disinfected?

Which sensors need to be cleaned and disinfected?

• A. Any sensors that come in contact with the patients bodily fluids
• B. Only sensors in the patients nose
• C. Any sensors that come in direct contact with the patient in any location
• D. Only sensors placed in abraded locations

Answer: (C)

Infection control for PSG equipment means treating any sensor that directly touches the patient as requiring cleaning and disinfection between patients. This protects every patient from cross-contamination, since sensors placed on the scalp, face, chest, limbs, or elsewhere on the body can carry pathogens from one patient to the next. Therefore, all sensors that come into direct contact with the patient in any location must be cleaned and disinfected. This approach covers sensors like EEG leads, EOG, EMG, respiratory belts, pulse oximeter probes, nasal thermistors, and similar contact points. The other options miss sensors that touch parts of the body other than the nose or abraded skin, and overlook those that contact intact skin but still pose a contamination risk.

Infection control for PSG equipment means treating any sensor that directly touches the patient as requiring cleaning and disinfection between patients. This protects every patient from cross-contamination, since sensors placed on the scalp, face, chest, limbs, or elsewhere on the body can carry pathogens from one patient to the next. Therefore, all sensors that come into direct contact with the patient in any location must be cleaned and disinfected.

This approach covers sensors like EEG leads, EOG, EMG, respiratory belts, pulse oximeter probes, nasal thermistors, and similar contact points. The other options miss sensors that touch parts of the body other than the nose or abraded skin, and overlook those that contact intact skin but still pose a contamination risk.