When you open a sterile package, if your hands are not sterile (and they aren't) and the breast is not sterile, and the surface you place it on (like a clean towel) is not sterile, then the shield immediately becomes non-sterile.

And a well baby in a public health setting or at their home, does not require sterile stuff anyway. One assumes the cleanliness and quality controls are very good in the factories that make and package these shields. However, when you open a non-sterile package, you do not know what level of contamination is there. I often wonder about the conditions in the factory, the workers hands, sneezing, etc. I don't really know anything about the quality control.

So definitely, running the shield under hot water and shaking off is not going to clean it. At the very least, you need to thoroughly wash your hands then the shield with soap and water and rinse well. If you had access to a disinfectant solution, that could be used first, and then soap and water. My 2 cents. I'm sure the instructions, however, say to sterilize first.

Laurie Wheeler RN MN IBCLC

Mississippi USA





-----------------------------------------

Smart Medicine. Inspired Care. And the awards to prove it.

Recognized as a Top 50 Healthcare Network.

To learn about other recognition and awards Baptist has earned,
visit:



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