Bruk av vårt utstyr og Covid-19

Information about safe suctioning of patients with bacterial or viral infections when using Laerdal Suction Unit (LSU) and Laerdal Compact Suction Unit 4 (LCSU 4). Information about exhaust from Laerdal's powered suction units.

The Laerdal Suction Unit (LSU) and Laerdal Compact Suction Unit 4 (LCSU 4) are suitable for suctioning patients with a proven viral or bacterial infection because patient fluid is contained in a canister.

The LSU and LCSU 4 canisters have mechanisms that that are designed to safely contain patient fluids. When the LSU or LCSU 4 are used as intended no fluids will enter the suction unit. The LSU and LCSU 4 will stop suctioning if the canister is full or the suction unit tips over. Aerosol filters in LSU and LCSU 4 prevent fluids or aerosols from entering into the suction unit.

Exhaust from the suction units is not an aerosol. The exhaust is not expected to transmit bacteria or virus, such as COVID-19 which are transmitted in aerosols. If the suction unit is contaminated with fluids the exhaust can also be contaminated. If fluids come into the suction unit, the unit should be removed from use and treated as contaminated equipment in accordance with local protocols.

All suctioning must be carried out using a suction catheter. The suction catheter is not provided by Laerdal.

Please note: COVID-19 is reported to be between 0.06 and 0.14 um in diameter. According to current knowledge, COVID-19 is transmitted via respiratory droplets, aerosols and by surface contact[1]. The filters used in LSU and in N95 masks have similar filtering efficiency. N95 masks, which are commonly recommended for protection against viruses such as COVID-19 shall block minimum 95% of all particles.

[1] Cascella M, Rajnik M, Cuomo A, et al. Features, Evaluation and Treatment Coronavirus (COVID-19) [Updated 2020 Mar 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554776/

Following the COVID-19 outbreak the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the following information about environmental cleaning:

Environmental cleaning in healthcare facilities or homes housing patients with suspected or confirmed 2019-nCoV infection should use disinfectants that are active against enveloped viruses, such as 2019-nCoV and other coronaviruses. There are many disinfectants, including commonly used hospital disinfectants, that are active against enveloped viruses. Currently WHO recommendations include the use of:

70% Ethyl alcohol to disinfect reusable dedicated equipment (e.g., thermometers) between uses.
Sodium hypochlorite at 0.5% (equivalent 5000ppm) for disinfection of frequently touched surfaces in homes or healthcare facilities

More information can be found here: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-on-infection-prevention-and-control-for-health-care-workers-caring-for-patients-with-suspected-or-confirmed-2019-ncov

The User Guide for Laerdal Compact Suction Unit 4 (LCSU 4) contains the following Information about cleaning:

Clean Cabinet surfaces by carefully wiping with a soft cloth or sponge with mild detergent. Use hand dishwashing liquid or similar that is compatible with the Material Chart (see Chapter 9 in the user guide). Dry all surfaces using a clean cloth or paper towel.

In light of the current WHO recommendations, Laerdal has reviewed its recommendations for cleaning. Laerdal has not tested the LCSU 4 using 70% Ethyl alcohol or Sodium hypochlorite at 0.5%. Information published by other reliable sources on the cleaning of the materials listed in the table below has been used to provide this guidance.

Please refer to the User Guide for further details.

Following the COVID-19 outbreak the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the following information about environmental cleaning:

Environmental cleaning in healthcare facilities or homes housing patients with suspected or confirmed 2019-nCoV infection should use disinfectants that are active against enveloped viruses, such as 2019-nCoV and other coronaviruses. There are many disinfectants, including commonly used hospital disinfectants, that are active against enveloped viruses. Currently WHO recommendations include the use of:

70% Ethyl alcohol to disinfect reusable dedicated equipment (e.g., thermometers) between uses

Sodium hypochlorite at 0.5% (equivalent 5000ppm) for disinfection of frequently touched surfaces in homes or healthcare facilities

More information can be found here: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-on-infection-prevention-and-control-for-health-care-workers-caring-for-patients-with-suspected-or-confirmed-2019-ncov

The user guides for Laerdal Suction Unit (LSU) contains the following Information about cleaning:

Clean the Cabinet

Use a minimum amount of liquid to prevent any electrical shock hazard. Do not immerse the LSU or allow it to stand in water or other liquids. This can damage the device, and cause electrical shock resulting in injury to persons.

Use a cloth or sponge that is dampened with a mild detergent (hand dishwashing liquid or similar) to clean the external surfaces of the LSU.

Use a detergent that is compatible with the materials listed in the Material Chart, and follow the detergent manufacturer´s instructions.

Use a cloth or sponge dampened with water and wipe the surfaces again.

Dry the surfaces using a clean cloth or a paper towel.

In light of the current WHO recommendations Laerdal has reviewed its recommendations for cleaning. Laerdal has not tested the LSU using 70% Ethyl alcohol or Sodium hypochlorite at 0.5%. Information published by other reliable sources on cleaning of the materials listed in the table below has been used to provide this guidance.

The cabinet consists of the following parts: 

 
For canister parts refer to DFU (part no. 20-15828), p.12-14

Following the COVID-19 outbreak the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the following information about environmental cleaning:

Environmental cleaning in healthcare facilities or homes housing patients with suspected or confirmed 2019-nCoV infection should use disinfectants that are active against enveloped viruses, such as 2019-nCoV and other coronaviruses. There are many disinfectants, including commonly used hospital disinfectants, that are active against enveloped viruses. Currently WHO recommendations include the use of:

70% Ethyl alcohol to disinfect reusable dedicated equipment (e.g., thermometers) between uses

Sodium hypochlorite at 0.5% (equivalent 5000ppm) for disinfection of frequently touched surfaces in homes or healthcare facilities

More information can be found here: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-on-infection-prevention-and-control-for-health-care-workers-caring-for-patients-with-suspected-or-confirmed-2019-ncov

The user guides for Laerdal Suction Unit (LSU) contains the following Information about cleaning:

Clean the Cabinet

Use a minimum amount of liquid to prevent any electrical shock hazard. Do not immerse the LSU or allow it to stand in water or other liquids. This can damage the device, and cause electrical shock resulting in injury to persons.

Use a cloth or sponge that is dampened with a mild detergent (hand dishwashing liquid or similar) to clean the external surfaces of the LSU.

Use a detergent that is compatible with the materials listed in the Material Chart, and follow the detergent manufacturer´s instructions.

Use a cloth or sponge dampened with water and wipe the surfaces again.

Dry the surfaces using a clean cloth or a paper towel.

In light of the current WHO recommendations Laerdal has reviewed its recommendations for cleaning. Laerdal has not tested the LSU using 70% Ethyl alcohol or Sodium hypochlorite at 0.5%. Information published by other reliable sources on cleaning of the materials listed in the table below has been used to provide this guidance.

The cabinet consists of the following parts:

For canister parts refer to DFU (part no. 6791), p.16

Following the COVID-19 outbreak the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the following information about environmental cleaning:

Environmental cleaning in healthcare facilities or homes housing patients with suspected or confirmed 2019-nCoV infection should use disinfectants that are active against enveloped viruses, such as 2019-nCoV and other coronaviruses. There are many disinfectants, including commonly used hospital disinfectants, that are active against enveloped viruses. Currently WHO recommendations include the use of:

70% Ethyl alcohol to disinfect reusable dedicated equipment (e.g., thermometers) between uses

Sodium hypochlorite at 0.5% (equivalent 5000ppm) for disinfection of frequently touched surfaces in homes or healthcare facilities

More information can be found here: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-on-infection-prevention-and-control-for-health-care-workers-caring-for-patients-with-suspected-or-confirmed-2019-ncov

The user guides for Laerdal Suction Unit (LSU) contains the following Information about cleaning:

Clean the Cabinet

Use a minimum amount of liquid to prevent any electrical shock hazard. Do not immerse the LSU or allow it to stand in water or other liquids. This can damage the device, and cause electrical shock resulting in injury to persons.

Use a cloth or sponge that is dampened with a mild detergent (hand dishwashing liquid or similar) to clean the external surfaces of the LSU.

Use a detergent that is compatible with the materials listed in the Material Chart, and follow the detergent manufacturer´s instructions.

Use a cloth or sponge dampened with water and wipe the surfaces again.

Dry the surfaces using a clean cloth or a paper towel.

In light of the current WHO recommendations Laerdal has reviewed its recommendations for cleaning. Laerdal has not tested the LSU using 70% Ethyl alcohol or Sodium hypochlorite at 0.5%. Information published by other reliable sources on cleaning of the materials listed in the table below has been used to provide this guidance.

The cabinet consists of the following parts:

Specific parts for LSU with Serres Canister

Specific parts belonging to LSU w/Serres Suction Bag

For canister parts refer to DFU (part no. 20-15830), p.11-12

Face Shield and Pocket Mask has a filter, Technostat T-150(+)/15. This filter is for single patient use only. This filter is intended to protect the rescuer from bacteria and viruses and has a viral and bacterial efficacy of ≥ 99%.

Bemis Canister (88 30 00) and patient tube (78 04 12)

For the LSU Bemis (catalog number 78 00 20 01) the single-use canister (catalog number 883000 ) contains a filter in the lid. This filter has been tested for its viral and bacterial efficacy and is found to have 99.9% viral and bacterial filtration efficiency.

LSU Bemis (78 00 20 01) fitted with the high-efficiency filter kit (78 04 13 34)

The LSU Bemis can be used with the high-efficiency filter kit (catalog number 78041334 ). The bidirectional hydrophobic Intervene 7 Filter from Pall Medical* meets HEPA standards** with a filter efficiency of 99.97% down to 0.3µm and may be used together with ***Laerdal Suction Unit to reduce the risk of contamination from the exhaust air of the suction pump.

Reference for further information:
*PALL MEDICAL filter specifications can be found on the internet at www.pall.com. Reference Intervene 7 Filter.
**HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) claims for the Intervene 7 filter are documented by Pall Medical.
***Laerdal Suction Unit, User Guide, paragraph 3.2.3 Test

78 12 00 Aerosol Filter for LSU Reusable Canister (left) and LSU (78 00 00 xx) with aerosol filter fitted (right)

The reusable LSU (catalog numbers 78 00 00 xx) must be used with the aerosol filter (catalog number 781200 ). The Aerosol Filter protects the LSU by preventing aerosols from entering the pump unit. It is not intended for microbiological or for particle filtration. The Aerosol Filter is not designed for decontamination. It is recommended that the Aerosol Filter be replaced after each use or at least once every shift.

All Serres suction bags are equipped with a hydrophobic filter. The hydrophobic filter acts as a combined bacterial filter and overflow protection. The filter closes suction automatically when it comes in contact with fluids preventing liquid and particles dissolved in the liquid entering the vacuum source.

The bacteria filtration efficiency (BFE) is on average 99,97%. (Staphylococcus aureus, ASTM F2101, Nelson Laboratories, LLC)

>99,9% of particles size 0,4μm or greater are filtered from the air. (independently tested by VTT Finland, data available on request)

Serres also offers a Viral filter (ref 57702). However, it is not possible to connect this filter to the Laerdal Suction Unit when using a Serres canister.

The LCSU 4 300 ml canister (catalog number 886100 ) has an internal filter which function is to prevent liquid from entering the pump unit if tipped over or canister is full. This filter has not been tested for its viral or bacterial efficacy.

LCSU-4 800 ml canister, patient tube and vacuum tube

The LCSU 4 800 ml canister from Bemis (catalog number 886102 ) has a mechanical valve inside the lid that prevents liquid from entering the pump unit when the canister is full. The canister lid also contains Aerostat® bacterial filter to protect against contamination.

High-efficiency filter kit for LCSU-4 800 ml

The LCSU 4 800 ml has an optional high-efficiency filter kit (catalog number 886116 ). The filter is HEPA rated with an efficiency of 99.97% down to a particle size of 0.3 μm. The use of the kit will reduce the airflow and battery run time.

The Laerdal Silicone Resuscitator (LSR) and The BAG II are NOT supplied with a filter. 

We recommend that you use an HMEF filter between the patient valve and the mask, the ET or Supraglottic tube. This is a standard filter that is widely available. A filter with a 22F/15M connector will fit both the Laerdal Silicone Resuscitator and The BAG II. Currently, Laerdal does not supply this type of filter.