Best Practices for Cleaning and Maintaining Pulse Oximeters

Midwives and medical professionals understand the critical nature of accurate patient data. When monitoring a newborn’s oxygen saturation or checking an adult patient’s vitals during a routine exam, the reliability of your equipment directly impacts the quality of care you provide. Pulse oximetry is a fundamental tool in these clinical settings, providing immediate insight into a patient’s respiratory status. However, even the most advanced technology requires consistent care to function correctly. A neglected device can yield erratic readings, suffer from shortened battery life, and eventually fail when you need it most.

Maintaining these devices involves more than a quick wipe with a shirt sleeve. It requires a systematic approach to cleaning, storage, and calibration. By establishing a rigorous maintenance protocol, you protect your investment and maintain the high standard of care your patients deserve. This guide will provide best practices for cleaning and maintaining pulse oximeters.

Essential Cleaning Supplies

Selecting the correct cleaning agents prevents damage to the sensitive electronic components and optical sensors. Manufacturers typically recommend using a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. This solution effectively disinfects surfaces without leaving a residue that could interfere with optical sensors. For general exterior cleaning, a mild detergent solution applied to a damp cloth often suffices.

You must strictly avoid certain chemicals. Bleach, ammonia, and abrasive scrubbing pads can cause irreparable harm. Bleach often degrades plastics, causing them to become brittle and crack over time. These cracks can then harbor bacteria, defeating the purpose of cleaning. Acetone and other strong solvents will dissolve the device’s casing and cloud the optical lenses, rendering the sensor useless. Never submerge the device in liquid unless the user manual explicitly states the model possesses a waterproof rating that supports immersion. Most monitors and sensors are water-resistant, not waterproof.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide

Preparing for Cleaning

Begin the process by powering down the device. Cleaning a live electronic device invites short circuits and accidental setting changes. If the model uses disposable batteries, remove them before you start. This removal prevents accidental activation and allows you to inspect the battery compartment for corrosion. Disconnect the sensor cable from the main monitor unit. Treating the monitor and the sensor as separate components allows for a more thorough inspection of the connection points.

Cleaning the Oximeter

Take your soft, lint-free cloth and dampen it with your chosen cleaning solution. The cloth should be moist but not dripping. Wring out any excess liquid. Wipe the exterior surfaces of the monitor gently. Pay close attention to buttons, screens, and seams where grime tends to accumulate. Do not pour cleaning solution directly onto the device. Liquid can seep through the buttons or speaker holes, damaging the internal circuit boards.

Disinfecting the Oximeter

Cleaning removes visible dirt, but disinfecting kills pathogens. After the initial cleaning, use a fresh cloth dampened with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol or a manufacturer-approved disinfectant wipe. Wipe all surfaces thoroughly. For the disinfectant to work effectively, the surface usually needs to remain wet for a specific period, often referred to as dwell time. Consult the instructions on your disinfectant to determine the correct duration. Allow the solution to sit on the surface for the required time before wiping it away.

Drying the Oximeter

Moisture is the enemy of electronics. After the disinfection dwell time passes, dry the device completely. Use a clean, dry, lint-free cloth to remove any remaining moisture. Alternatively, allow the device to air dry in a clean, dust-free environment. Verify that the sensor connector ports are completely dry before reattaching any cables. Trapped moisture in the connection points can corrode the pins and lead to signal failure.

Sensor Care

The sensor constitutes the most delicate part of the system. Reusable sensors, such as the Masimo Rad-G reusable finger sensor, require gentle handling. The optical components must remain crystal clear. When cleaning these reusable sensors, gently wipe the inside of the clip or the silicone boot with alcohol. Avoid pulling on the cable or twisting the sensor head, as this damages the delicate internal wiring. If the sensor uses an adhesive mechanism, carefully remove all old adhesive residue.

Disposable sensors require a different approach. These items function as single-patient use devices. Attempting to clean and reuse a disposable sensor on multiple patients violates infection control protocols and risks degrading the sensor’s adhesive and optical quality. Discard single-use sensors immediately after use or when they no longer adhere to the patient. Follow your facility’s biohazard disposal guidelines if the sensor has come into contact with blood or other bodily fluids.

Calibration and Testing

Importance of Regular Calibration

Over time, electronic components can drift, potentially affecting the accuracy of the readings. While modern digital pulse oximeters rarely require manual calibration in the traditional sense, they do require regular functional verification. This process confirms that the device reads within the specified accuracy range. Regular testing provides peace of mind that your medical-grade pulse oximeter continues to perform at the high level required for clinical diagnostics.

How To Test Accuracy

Clinical engineers or biomedical technicians typically perform rigorous accuracy testing using functional testers or patient simulators. These simulators connect to the oximeter sensor and generate specific light signals that mimic various oxygen saturation levels and pulse rates. Midwives and private practitioners who do not have an in-house biomedical team should send their devices to a certified service center periodically. Consult the manufacturer’s user manual for the recommended testing interval. If you notice a discrepancy between the patient’s clinical presentation and the oximeter reading, verify the device’s function immediately.

Storage Best Practices

Optimal Storage Conditions

How you store the device when it sits idle matters just as much as how you clean it. Store the monitor and sensors in a cool, dry place. Extreme temperatures can degrade the battery and damage the LCD screen. Mobile midwives and home health nurses must take special care not to leave the device in a car overnight during freezing winters or hot summers. Excessive humidity can also cause internal condensation, leading to corrosion.

Protecting From Damage

Physical protection preserves the device’s integrity. Use a padded carrying case to shield the monitor from drops and knocks. When storing cables and sensors, coil them loosely. Wrapping cables tightly around the monitor can strain the internal wires and cause them to break or fray near the connector. A loose coil prevents kinks and extends the cable’s lifespan. Cascade Health Care provides durable options like the Masimo Rad-G, which features a robust build, but even rugged devices require protection from unnecessary impact.

Closing Thoughts

Reliable equipment serves as the backbone of effective patient monitoring. By adhering to the best practices above, you extend the life of your pulse oximetry tools and ensure the accuracy of the data they provide. Every time you wipe down a sensor or carefully coil a cable, you contribute to a safer clinical environment. Treat your equipment with the same level of care you provide your patients, and it will serve you reliably through every critical moment.