Foam in the suction system
Why is foam in the suction system a problem?
Foam in the suction system can severally damage your suction system, causing a major breakdown and huge expense.
How does foam get into the suction system?
Some things foam when in a vacuum environment, even though they may not when in normal pressure. For this reason, you can never simply assume something is okay to have contact with the suction system.
The most common ways of foam getting into your suction system are:
- using a brush to clean the filter that has been used to clean other items and has some soap on it.
- using a beaker or bucket to aspirate fluids or the Pulijet PLUS solution through that has been used for other purposes (ie. washing the floor etc.). It is important to note that even though you may have cleaned and washed the beaker or bucket the foam still gets into the system.
What do we need to do?
- whatever you use to clean the suction system, make sure it isn't used for anything but cleaning the suction system.
- label whatever you use to clean the suction system 'only for cleaning suction system' and advise other staff that they are not to use these items for anything else.
- use the Disinfecting Antifoam Tablets (order code M140825) as per the instructions - this will fight foam caused by blood aspirated into the suction system.
