Glutaraldehyde Exposure; Infection Control - Siemens ACUSON Cypress Operator's Manual

Safety, Technical Description, and Accuracy
10-18

Glutaraldehyde Exposure

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (
issued a regulation dealing with levels of acceptable glutaraldehyde exposure in
the working environment.
Glutaraldehyde can be used successfully without exceeding the exposure lev-
els. Using one of the legally marketed
of glutaraldehyde fumes in the air. The use of a stopper at the top of the narrow
holding tube can further reduce fumes.
Follow the glutaraldehyde manufacturer and your institution's procedures for
handling glutaraldehyde in order to prevent skin irritation or allergic reactions. It
is important to wear gloves when handling glutaraldehyde and standard latex
gloves may not provide adequate protection. The occupational safety literature
suggest that the type of glove used when working with glutaraldehyde should
have scientific proof from the manufacturer that there is acceptable protection
against glutaraldehyde (an
medical grade to protect against blood-borne pathogens, and be made of butyl
or nitrile rubber or polyethelene. Nitrile rubber gloves can protect against glut-
araldehyde for approximately eight hours or more.
References
Notarianni, G. Do your gloves really protect you from glutaraldehyd? Association of
Occupational Health Professionals, 1:11-2, 1996.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
CFR 1910.1030. Federal Register 58:64136, 1991.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
CFR 1910.132-138. Federal Register 59:16360-4, 1994.

Infection Control

In order to protect the operator and the patient from infection it is important that
you carefully follow the infection-control procedures of your institution.
With the Cypress system, a chief infection control issue is the care of transduc-
ers that may have come into contact with infected patients. Carefully follow the
infection control procedures described in this manual.
Blood on the system and transducer should be removed using soap and water
followed by alcohol. Dry the equipment afterwards.
ACUSON Cypress™ Operator's Manual
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