Increased safety protocol: Cleaning and disinfecting of electrodes (neutral and active)

Published:6 May,2020

What are the cleaning instructions proposed by INDIBA for COVID-19 based on?

For the cleaning and disinfecting of the various accessories of INDIBA®, the instructions detailed in the product’s User Manual apply. These instructions are also provided in all training courses taught by INDIBA® and are shared both through our website and the usual communication channels. The instructions for disinfecting have been reviewed and updated in according to current requirements in place following COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines are based on Spanish government regulations regarding maintaining sterile conditions and ensuring CORONAVIRUS is not present on work surfaces. Please consult your national governing body for specific country information.

How should I disinfect the return plates, return cylinder, handles and cables?

Immediately before or immediately after use:
  1. Clean the excess conductive media from the return electrodes and handles with cleaning paper, until they are completely removed.
  2. Repeat the same operation with a cleaning paper or wipe wet with purified water to remove the conductive product.
  3. Disinfect each accessory using a single-use, non-fibrous wipe or cleaning paper with a disinfecting solution; using only Ethanol (62-71%) or Hydrogen Peroxide (0.5%) for at least 1 minute.

*https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022

  1. Destroy all of the material used to clean in accordance with normal procedures.
  2. Dry the items with cleaning paper. If the process has been carried out after the treatment, always keep it in a sterile place until its next use.
Note: INDIBA® conductive media should always be used during treatments since these products have been developed to maximize the life of these components. [accordion title=”For more information on warnings and precautions, click here.”] Sodium hypochlorite solution (bleach) should not be used to disinfect return electrodes (plate or cylinder), cables or metal parts of the handles. Never apply water directly, do not immerse or place the return electrodes (plate / cylinder), cables or handles under the tap. Whether the return plates / cylinder, cables or handles have followed the disinfection processes mentioned here or not, the following aspects may be an indicator that the return plate / cylinder, cables or handles are worn out and therefore must be replaced:
  • Sparks or crackles during treatment
  • Regular non-contact alert on the equipment
  • Loss of power, or sudden and intermittent delivery of power
During this procedure it is advised that paper, wipes or cleaning materials should be used. These materials must not damage the surfaces being cleaned. At the same time, cleaning must be carried out with care, pressing on the surfaces, but ensuring that they have not been damaged. These should be visually checked when cleaning. INDIBA® conductive media should always be used during treatments, as these products have been developed to maximize the life of these components – replicated from above [/accordion]

How should I disinfect the capacitive electrodes?

Note: INDIBA cannot guarantee that the cleaning process described here can be effective or safe on a capacitive electrode that shows wear on its surface. That is why this procedure is only valid and recommended for new electrodes. Immediately before or immediately after use:
  1. Remove the excess conductive product from the capacitive electrodes with cleaning paper, until it is completely removed.
  2. Clean each electrode with soap and water. Rinse with purified water and dry with disposable paper.
  3. Disinfect each accessory using a single-use non-fibrous wipe or cleaning paper with a disinfecting solution using only Ethanol (62-71%) or Hydrogen Peroxide (0.5%) for at least 1 minute.

*https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022

Note: Capacitive electrodes have a coating that shows wear after repeated disinfection processes. INDIBA cannot guarantee that such degradations will not appear in electrodes that have been disinfected more than 40 times or for up to 2 accumulated hours of disinfection.

  1. Destroy all of the material used to clean in accordance with normal procedures.
  2. Let the clean electrodes dry by placing them on a disposable paper (without rubbing them). In the case of having carried out the process after the treatment, always keep in a sterile place until its next use.
Note: The use of capacitive electrodes for pelvic floor treatment (externally) is recommended after each individual patient’s treatment. In the case of intracavitary electrodes, your specific cleaning protocol must be applied. Its use must be for one patient only. Note: INDIBA® conductive media should always be used during treatments, since these products have been developed to maximize the life of these components. [accordion title=”For more information on warnings and precautions, click here”] Capacitive electrodes have a coating that shows wear when repeatedly disinfected. INDIBA cannot guarantee that such degradations will not appear in electrodes that have been disinfected more than 40 times or for up to 2 accumulated hours of disinfection -. repeated Sodium hypochlorite solution (bleach) should not be used for disinfection of capacitive electrodes. Whether the electrodes have been disinfected through the instructions here or not, the following may be an indication that the electrode shows wear and therefore must be replaced:
  • Loss of gloss and grey colour of the polyamide
  • Loss of ceramic consistency of the material
  • A non-uniform sensation of temperature during treatment on the electrode
  • Sparks or crackles during treatment
  • Mobility between the electrode axis and the disc
  • Loss of power, or sudden and intermittent delivery of power.
  • Appearance of irregularities or roughness on the surface of the electrode such as bulging of the polyamide or perforations
Finally, note that a possible mode of failure in a capacitive electrode may be the formation of a pore on the surface. This failure may not be detectable with visual inspection; therefore, we must be vigilant:
  • Always use the electrode correctly, following the instructions in the User Manual
  • Always use INDIBA® conductive products, as they have been developed to maximize the life of INDIBA electrodes
  • Do not rub the electrodes with materials that can be abrasive
  • Do not hit or scratch the electrodes with sharp or pointed objects. If the surface comes off or loses its adherence to the metal part or deteriorates, do not use said capacitive electrode and replace it with a new one
  • Do not apply tension or force to the electrode shafts; improper handling can cause misalignment or surface cracks
  • The capacitive electrode is covered with polyamide. Do not expose it to temperatures above 90ºC
During this procedure, it is recommended that paper, wipes or cleaning materials should be used. These materials must not damage the surfaces being cleaned. At the same time, cleaning must be carried out with care, pressing on the surfaces, but ensuring that they have not been damaged. These should be visually checked when cleaning. INDIBA® conductive media should always be used during treatments, as these products have been developed to maximize the life of the components. [/accordion]  

How should I disinfect resistive and fascia electrodes?

Immediately before or immediately after use:
  1. Remove all remaining conductive product with disposable paper from the resistive electrodes.
  2. Clean each electrode with soap and water. Rinse with purified water and dry with disposable paper.
  3. Disinfect each accessory using a single-use non-fibrous wipe or cleaning paper with a disinfecting solution using only Ethanol (62-71%) or Hydrogen Peroxide (0.5%) for at least 1 minute.

*https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022

  1. Destroy all of the material used to clean in accordance with normal procedures.
  2. Let the clean electrodes dry by placing them on a disposable paper (without rubbing them). In the case of having carried out the process after the treatment, always keep in a sterile place until its next use.
Note: The use of resistive electrodes for pelvic floor treatment (externally) is recommended after each individual patient’s treatment. In the case of intracavitary electrodes, your specific cleaning protocol must be applied. Its use must be for one patient only. Note: INDIBA® conductive media should always be used during treatments, since these products have been developed to maximize the life of these components. [accordion title=”For more information on warnings and precautions, click here”] Sodium hypochlorite solution (bleach) should not be used for disinfecting resistive electrodes or fasciae. Whether the electrodes have been disinfected through the instructions here or not, the following may be an indication that the electrode shows wear and therefore must be replaced:
  • Mobility between the electrode axis and the disc
  • Non-uniform sensation of temperature during treatment
  • Sparks or crackles during treatment
Do not apply tension or force to the electrode shafts; improper handling can cause misalignment or surface cracks. During this procedure it is recommended that paper, wipes or cleaning materials should be used. These materials must not damage the surfaces being cleaned. At the same time, cleaning must be carried out with care, pressing on the surfaces, but ensuring that they have not been damaged. These should be visually checked when cleaning. INDIBA® conductive media should always be used during treatments, as these products have been developed to maximize the life of these components – repeated from note above [/accordion]  

How should I disinfect the massager?

Immediately before or immediately after use:
  1. Remove all remaining conductive product with disposable paper from the resistive electrodes.
  2. Clean and each electrode with soap and water. Rinse with purified water and dry with disposable paper.
  3. Disinfect each accessory using a single-use non-fibrous wipe or cleaning paper with a disinfecting solution using only Ethanol (62-71%) or Hydrogen Peroxide (0.5%) for at least 1 minute.

*https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022

  1. Destroy all of the material used to clean in accordance with normal procedures.
  2. Let it dry by placing it on a disposable paper (without rubbing them). In the case of having carried out the process after the treatment, always keep in a sterile place until its next use.
[accordion title=”For more information on warnings and precautions, click here”] During this procedure it is recommended that paper, wipes or cleaning materials should be used. These materials must not damage the surfaces being cleaned. At the same time, cleaning must be carried out with care, pressing on the surfaces, but ensuring that they have not been damaged. These should be visually checked when cleaning. INDIBA® conductive media should always be used during treatments, as these products have been developed to maximize the life of these components. [/accordion]