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Expert in Spirometry

Cleaning equipment

In forced expiratory maneuvers the patient not only expels air, but also saliva and/or sputum (see references). This contaminates the flow transducer of the spirometer and may cause it to malfunction.

• Nearly all flow transducers can be disassembled and cleaned in water with a detergent. Deposit the transducer for about half an hour in a solution of washing agent with proteolytic enzymes, moving it to and fro at regular intervals.
• Thereafter most transducers can be disinfected 15 minutes in 95% alcohol.
• Subsequently rinse the transducer with distiller water, and leave it upside down to dry in air.

NEVER USE SHARP OBJECTS OR OTHER DEVICES TO THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE INSIDE OF A FLOW TRANSDUCER.

Turbines, hot wires, fins, etc. are very vulnerable, and repairs or replacements are costly!

References
1	Werkgroep infectie preventie: Preventie van besmetting met tuberculose in ziekenhuizen. (Working group prevention of infection: Prevention of infection with tuberculosis in hospitals). January 1995 ISBN 90-73292-35-2.
2	Verhey NE. Longfunctie apparatuur en hygiene. (Lung function equipment and hygiene). Ziekenhuisinfectie en preventie 1990; 90: 63-65.
3	Clausen JL. Pulmonary function testing, guidelines and controversies. Academic Press 1982.
4	Quanjer PhH, Tammeling GJ, Cotes JE, Pedersen OF, Peslin R, Yernault JC. Lung volumes and forced ventilatory flows. Eur Respir J 1993; 6 suppl. 16: 5-40. Erratum Eur Respir J 1995; 8: 1629.
5	American Thoracic Society. Standardization of spirometry: 1994 update. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1995; 152: 1107-1136, see section on Hygiene and infection control.

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