How to clean equipment between patients
Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.
Shared equipment like stethoscopes and cuffs can carry germs from one patient to the next. Cleaning them is part of standard precautions.
Step by step
Wear gloves if soiled
Put on gloves if the equipment has blood or body fluids on it. [1]
Remove visible dirt
Clean away visible soil first, since dirt blocks the disinfectant. [1]
Use an approved wipe
Use the hospital-approved disinfectant for that device and that germ. [1]
Respect contact time
Keep the surface wet for the time on the label, then let it air dry. [1]
Clean high-touch parts
Wipe the stethoscope diaphragm, cuff, cables and buttons. [1]
Store clean items apart
Keep clean equipment away from dirty items, and clean your hands. [2]
Common errors
- Wiping and drying right away.
- Using the wrong disinfectant for the germ.
- Forgetting the stethoscope.
Practice it in VMS
In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.
VMS cases that train this skill
Sources
- CDC, Guideline for Isolation Precautions (2007) and PPE sequence
- CDC, Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings
Facts and steps follow CDC, Guideline for Isolation Precautions (2007) and PPE sequence. VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.