I. Routine Disinfection Steps (After use by non-infected patients)
1. Rinse with water: Immediately rinse the thermometer with running water after use and wipe off surface dirt with gauze.
2. Shake to low temperature: Shake the mercury column down to below 35℃ to ensure the mercury returns to its original position.
3. Alcohol immersion: Immerse in 75% alcohol for 30 minutes, ensuring the thermometer is completely covered.
4. Second rinse: After removal, rinse off any remaining alcohol with clean water, wipe dry, and store in a clean, dry container.
II. Disinfection After Use by Patients with Special Infections
Chlorine-based disinfectant immersion: Immerse in a chlorine-based disinfectant solution with an effective chlorine concentration of 1000mg/L for 30 minutes (e.g., after oral/rectal temperature measurement).
Enhanced treatment: After disinfection, rinse with cold boiled water to avoid disinfectant residue.
III. Precautions
Avoid prolonged immersion: Mercury thermometers should not be immersed for more than 30 minutes to avoid corrosion of the scale or glass casing.
Dry storage: After disinfection, wipe thoroughly dry to prevent moisture and bacterial growth.
Prohibit high-temperature disinfection: Do not use boiling water or high-temperature steam treatment to avoid mercury expansion and breakage.
IV. Disinfection Differences for Different Thermometers
Electronic thermometer: Only wipe the probe with alcohol, avoid immersing the entire device.
Infrared thermometer: Clean the lens with an alcohol swab, do not use corrosive liquids.
