Are oxygen delivery devices (e.g. ventilator circuits, nasal cannula etc) reusable?

• Most are not considered reusable per manufacturer specifications 
• Check with the manufacturer specification and clinical guidelines to determine if reuse is safe
• Steps for disinfection must be closely adhered to and may be manufacturer specific 
• Some reusable devices (e.g. some ventilator circuits) may have a finite lifespan (e.g. a predefined number of sterilizing cycles)
• Reusability of respiratory care devices is often debated and may vary based on local/national practice guidelines and regulations   

Click here to review WHO tips for cleaning and disinfection of respiratory equipment 

Additional resources:

• Infection Prevention and Control of Epidemic- and Pandemic-Prone Acute Respiratory Infections in Health Care (WHO)
• Disinfectants for COVID-19 (US EPA)
• Cleaning of CPAP and other devices used to administer supplemental oxygen (DPHSS Montana)
• Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents. G. Kampf, D. Todt,  S. Pfaender, E. Steinmann. Journal of Hospital Infection 104 (2020) 246-251.
• Disinfection and sterilization: an overview. Rutala, Weber. Am J Infect Control
• Disinfectants used for environmental disinfection and new room decontamination technology; Rutala, Weber. Am J Inect Control. 2013
• Guidelines for disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities, HICPAC, CDC 2019
• Reuse of anesthesia breathing systems: another difference of opinion and practice between the US and Europe, J Clin Anes 2008
• Bacterial and viral contamination of breathing circuits after extended use – an aspect of patient safety? Acta Anaes Scan, 2016