Fahl DURATWIX Gebrauchsanweisung Seite 25

Place only one tracheostomy tube at a time in the sieve insert of the cannula-cleaning tub. If
more than one tube is cleaned at a time, they may be compressed too strongly and damaged
by excessive pressure.
EN
You can place the inner and outer cannula side by side for this procedure.
Immerse the sieve insert with the tracheostomy tube components in the prepared cleaning solu-
tion.
After the immersion time has expired (see instructions for use of the cannula cleaning powder),
wash the tracheostomy tube thoroughly several times with lukewarm, clear water (see picture
9). There must be no residues of the cleaning agent on the tube when it is inserted into the
tracheostoma.
If necessary, for example, if persistent secretion residues cannot be removed by the cleaning
, REF 31850 or
bath, additional cleaning with a special cannula-cleaning brush (OPTIBRUSH
®
OPTIBRUSH Plus with fibre top, REF 31855) may help. Only use the cleaning brush, if the tube
®
is removed and already outside the tracheostoma.
Always insert the cannula cleaning brush into the cannula from the cannula tip (see picture 11).
Use the brush as directed and proceed with great care to avoid damage to the soft tube material.
In tracheostomy tubes with speaking valve, the speaking valve must first be detached.
The valve itself must not be cleaned with the brush since it could otherwise be damaged or
break off.
Thoroughly rinse the tube or button under lukewarm running water or sterile saline solution
(0.9% NaCl solution).
Dry the tube thoroughly with a clean and lint-free cloth after wet cleaning.
Never use tracheostomy tubes with impaired functionality or with damages such as sharp edges
or cracks, because this may lead to injuries of the mucus membranes in the trachea. If damages
are found, the tube must not be used under any circumstances.
The obturator can be cleaned in the same way as the tracheostomy tube.
Cleaning the tracheostomy tubes with cuff
The indwelling time and thus the replacement intervals of the tracheostomy tube must be deter-
mined individually in consultation with the treating doctor/physician. The outer cannula must
be cleaned or the tracheostomy tube replaced after 1 week at the latest though, since after
that the risk of formation of granulation tissue or of tracheomalacia, etc. can increase significant-
ly, depending on the patient's disease condition.
The outer cannula must only be cleaned with the cuff inflated, and the safety balloon must not
come into contact with the cleaning solution in order to prevent intrusion of cleaning solution into
the balloon, since this would lead to serious functional impairment and health risks for the user.
The outer cannula with cuff can be cleaned/rinsed with sterile saline solution.
For cannulas with a cuff, a brush may only be used inside the cannula tube to avoid damaging
the balloon!
Damage to the balloon and hence a defect of the tracheostomy tube can only be avoided by
careful and gentle handling.
2. Chemical Disinfection Instructions
2.1 Disinfecting the inner cannula/cleaning the outer cannula without cuff
The Fahl tracheostomy tube can be disinfected by cold disinfection with special chemical dis-
®
infectants.
Disinfection should always be done if ordered by a doctor/physician due to specific health con-
cerns caused by disease, infection, or your specific situation.
Disinfecting is generally indicated to prevent cross-infection and in inpatient situations (e.g. hos-
pitals, nursing homes, and/or other health care facilities) to limit infections.
CAUTION!
Always clean according to the cleaning procedure described above before proceeding
to disinfection (if applicable).
Disinfectants that release chlorine or that contain strong alkalis or phenol derivatives
must under no circumstances be used. This could badly damage or even destroy the
tracheostomy tube.
2.2 Disinfecting the outer cannula with cuff
Tracheostomy tubes with cuff may only be disinfected provided that this is performed and
checked with utmost care. The balloon must always be inflated beforehand.
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