Infection control procedures
It is essential that correct infection control procedures are practised to avoid cross-infection when treating patients with cryotherapy.
Cotton-tipped swabs (liquid nitrogen):*
- Liquid nitrogen should be poured into single-use containers (such as Styrofoam cups).
- Each patient should have his or her own container.
- A new swab should be used for each patient treatment.
- Any unused liquid nitrogen must not be returned to the main storage container.
Cryoprobe tips:
- The tip of the cryoprobe, and other copper or metal applicators, must be removed and mechanically cleaned on completion of each treatment.
- They should be soaked in 2% gluteraldehyde for 20 minutes (i.e., high level disinfection), then rinsed with water.
- Autoclaving by steam under pressure is preferable to gluteraldehyde soaking, which is being phased out because of the risk of allergy and toxicity to health care workers.
*The same precautions must be taken with carbon dioxide, in either solidified form (stick, block or snow) or mixed to a slush with acetone.
Back to article -
Make a comment -
Register to be notified of new articles by e-mail -
Current contents list -
©MJA 1997
<URL: http://www.mja.com.au/>
© 1997 Medical Journal of Australia.
We appreciate
your comments.
