Cleaning and Disinfection of Foot Thrones

Serious skin infections have been caused by hydrotherapy foot thrones or baths that have not been properly cleaned and disinfected between clients. Bacteria can cling to the inside of the pipes used to recirculate the water, contaminating the water used for each client. Follow these steps to safely maintain foot thrones and protect your clients from infections:

1. After each use, drain the foot throne and then clean all surfaces with a detergent and water solution. A detergent and water solution should also be circulated through the piping.
2. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
3. Fill the foot throne and add an intermediate level disinfectant (such as chlorine bleach) to the water (add 1 teaspoon/5 ml of bleach to every 1 cup of water the foot throne holds). Circulate the disinfectant through the jets for a minimum contact time of 10 minutes. If the foot throne is contaminated with blood, circulate the disinfectant for a contact time of 20 minutes.
4. Drain the foot throne and rinse for next use.

Also note:

Foot throne screens must be removed for cleaning and disinfecting at least once daily to remove debris. Clean the screen first with a soapy solution, rinse, and then submerge in an intermediate level bleach solution (mix as outlined above) or another approved intermediate to high level disinfectant for the required contact time (refer to manufacturer's label). Rinse the screen and return it to the foot throne.

Revised: 2010-05-11