Cleaning, Disinfection, and Functional Tests for Bag Valve Masks in Hospitals Located in 117 Cities in China: A...

This study aimed to investigate factors associated with cleaning failures and malfunctions of bag valve masks (BVMs).

Stratified sampling was used in this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire survey was conducted with central sterile supply department managerial personnel from 479 hospitals in China from December 2023 to July 2024. Data concerning BVM reprocessing, such as types of BVMs, methods of cleaning, disinfection and drying, functional tests, and storage conditions, were analyzed.

The incidences of cleaning failures in BVMs under storage conditions partially meeting requirements, under storage conditions fully meeting requirements, and when storage conditions were not prioritized in practice were 30.50%, 16.22%, and 18.10%, respectively (χ² = 11.358, P < 0.01). The incidences of malfunctions in BVMs which were not stored separately and which were in separate storage were 60% and 43.82%, respectively (χ² = 4.726, P < 0.05). The incidences of malfunctions in infant BVMs and in non-infant BVMs were 48.77% and 35.09%, respectively (χ² = 6.555, P < 0.05). The incidences of malfunctions in BVMs reprocessed using moist heat disinfection and using other disinfection methods were 37.89% and 49.37%, respectively (χ² = 5.683, P < 0.05). The incidences of malfunctions in BVMs using high-temperature drying cabinets and using other drying methods were 50.55% and 38.73%, respectively (χ² = 6.598, P < 0.05).

The types of BVMs and the methods of cleaning, disinfection, drying, and storage conditions could affect the cleaning quality or functional integrity. This highlights the urgent need for standardized national guidelines in China.