Decontamination
VR-series beds and surfaces can be cleaned with the detergents and disinfectants used on most wards. The full method is in the cleaning and decontamination guide.
Approved agents
| Agent | Beds | Mattress covers |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral detergent and warm water | Yes | Yes |
| Chlorine-releasing agent, up to 1,000 ppm available chlorine | Yes | Yes |
| Chlorine-releasing agent, 1,000 to 10,000 ppm | Yes, rinse after 5 minutes | Yes, rinse and dry; shortens cover life |
| Combined detergent and chlorine wipes | Yes | Yes |
| Alcohol, 70%, wipes | Yes, not on the footboard panel screen more than daily | Not recommended |
| Hydrogen peroxide, up to 6% | Yes | Yes |
| Phenolic disinfectants | No | No |
| Solvents, abrasive pads, pressure washers, steam | No | No |
Cleaning sequence
- Disconnect the bed from the mains and lower it to a comfortable working height.
- Remove the mattress and clean it separately, top surface first, then the sides, then the underside.
- Clean the bed from the top down and from the cleanest to the dirtiest parts: side rails and boards, then the platform, then the frame, then the castors.
- Do not let liquid run into the footboard panel, the handsets’ connectors or the controller housing under the platform.
- Dry all surfaces before reconnecting the bed and refitting the mattress.
Mattress covers
Inspect the cover at every cleaning. Unzip it and check the foam or cells for staining. If the inside is stained, fluid has passed through the cover: take the mattress out of use and replace the cover, and the foam or cells if they cannot be cleaned.
The full method, including the agents tested by the manufacturer and the effect of each on the life of the cover, is in VRM-DG-0005-UK.