How can you keep your equipment clean?

Author: SCIRE Professional Team | Reviewers: Cynthia Morin , Andrea Townson | Published: 4 August 2020 | Updated: ~

Historical pandemic information reproduced with its original publication context.

As a wheelchair user, it is especially important to keep at least 6 feet from another person. Because your head is lower than people who are standing you may be more vulnerable to respiratory droplets. You may consider wearing eye protection when you are not able to maintain physical distancing.

• If possible, avoid making contact between your hands and your tires when pushing (and launder your pushing gloves frequently).
• Remove your pushing gloves and/or put on disposable gloves before touching or cleaning your chair.
• Use antibacterial solution to clean wheels, brakes, and push rims.
• Wash your hands then avoid touching your tires if possible (use paper towels or cloth to cover when transferring).

• Use antibacterial solution on a cloth to clean the joystick (and any other controls), armrests, tray, and headrest (have someone help you if needed).
• Get assistance to help wash or sanitize your hands if unable to do so independently.

• Regularly clean assistive devices with antibacterial products (i.e., splints, cuffs, braces, “reachers”, canes, crutches, handgrips and brakes, storage compartments).
• Refresh your memory about best practices for using your devices safely.
• Complete a maintenance check.

• Wash hands before and after working with the ventilator.
• Ensure caregivers wear a mask or eye shield when suctioning secretions.
• Clean and disinfect medical equipment according to manufacturing descriptions.
• Change filters according to manufacturing descriptions.

Avoid using your mouth: Ask for help, especially if others are in contact with the materials.