Files
Download Full Text (422 KB)
Keywords
reusable hospital equipment. microorganisms. bacteria
Disciplines
Nursing
Description
Research has shown that reusable hospital equipment can harbor microorganisms and bacteria especially when proper cleaning practices are not used (Browne et al., 2024). Improving the cleaning and disinfection of shared medical equipment significantly reduces hospital acquired infections (HAIs) underscoring the crucial role of cleaning in improving patient outcomes. Hospital systems, including Corewell Health, have policies outlining routine cleaning practices for reusable equipment. The goal of this quality improvement (QI) project is to improve knowledge of the proper (per policy) cleaning practices for reusable equipment on 6 South GYN/Medical.
A 2018 Australian study measured the amount of Colony Forming Units (CFUs) on blood pressure cuffs after uses, and again after cleaning to examine the effect disinfection had on the amount of CFUs grown. The results showed that after a single use of the cuff, bacteria grew between 51-100 CFUs, considered a moderate amount of growth. Overall, the study demonstrated that properly cleaning the cuffs significantly reduced the number of bacteria formed, suggesting cleaning between uses should be considered standard (Zimmerman, et al., 2018).
Another study examined how clinical nurses (CNs) self-reported how often they cleaned their stethoscopes between patients pre and post an educational intervention. The study found that pre-education, only 23.7% of CNs reported cleaning their stethoscopes between patients. Post-education findings were that 52.8% of CNs self-reported cleaning their stethoscopes between patients, a 29% increase (Guler, et al., 2024).
Third, Browne et al. (2024) examined 10 units within the same hospital over 36 weeks to evaluate their cleaning policies. Their study showed that when staff was educated on cleaning policies and implemented policy into practice, the prevalence of hospital acquired infections dropped from 14.9 -9.8%.
Publication Date
5-6-2026
Recommended Citation
Pozdol R, Delgado PS, Colby LE. Clean, safe, ready: a quality improvement approach to reusable equipment. Presented at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital; 2026 May 6-12; Royal Oak, MI.
Comments
Nurses Week at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, May 6-12, 2026.