Getting PAP Mask Disinfection Right
Dawn Clayton, RCP, RRT, RSPGT, joined ACHC in 2024 as a surveyor for our Sleep and DMEPOS programs. In her current role as an accreditation sleep specialist, Dawn draws on 25 years of experience in sleep medicine to guide organizations seeking ACHC Sleep Accreditation. She is passionate about helping sleep providers continue on a path of continuous improvement.
Posted: November 12, 2026
Proper cleaning and disinfection of positive airway pressure (PAP) masks and related equipment is an important component of infection prevention in the sleep laboratory.
Because PAP mask interfaces come in direct contact with a patient’s skin and may be exposed to respiratory secretions, oils, and other contaminants, sleep laboratories must have clear, evidence-based procedures for cleaning, disinfecting, and preparing equipment for reuse.
Infection-control practices
The responsibility for establishing appropriate infection-control practices extends beyond simply selecting a disinfectant.
ACHC Standard SLC7-1A requires sleep laboratories to maintain infection prevention and control practices that address the prevention and control of infectious and communicable diseases and comply with applicable standards and requirements. Surveyors evaluate these policies and look for clear documentation that infection control practices are being followed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also provides nationally recognized guidance for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of healthcare equipment.
The CDC’s Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities emphasizes that the effectiveness of these processes depends on following established procedures and the instructions associated with the equipment and products being used.
Most importantly, the manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU) should be considered when determining how a PAP mask or other patient-care device may be cleaned and disinfected.
CDC recommendations specifically instruct healthcare personnel to follow manufacturers’ instructions for disinfecting products and equipment, including appropriate concentrations, exposure times, material compatibility, and other conditions necessary for effective processing.
No universal process
Not all masks are alike. PAP masks can contain different materials, including silicone, plastics, fabrics, cushions, valves, and other components. A disinfectant or cleaning method that is appropriate for one product may damage another. Chemical compatibility, required contact time, temperature, dilution, rinsing requirements, and whether a component can be immersed may all vary by manufacturer and model.
For this reason, sleep laboratories should avoid creating a universal assumption that one disinfectant or process is appropriate for every PAP interface. Instead, each laboratory should identify the specific equipment in use and maintain access to the current manufacturer’s IFU. The laboratory’s written policies should reflect those instructions and clearly describe the required cleaning and disinfection process.
The CDC's disinfection framework, which is based on the globally recognized Spaulding Classification system, provides additional guidance according to the degree of infection risk associated with patient contact. It also categorizes equipment according to the degree of infection risk, with different levels of disinfection appropriate for critical, semicritical, and noncritical devices.
Sleep laboratories should evaluate each item according to how it is used and the manufacturer’s validated reprocessing instructions rather than applying the same process indiscriminately.
Staff training
Documentation and staff competency are equally important. Personnel responsible for cleaning and disinfecting PAP interfaces should receive training on the laboratory’s procedures and manufacturers’ requirements.
Training should include information on the processes for cleaning before disinfection (when required), appropriate disinfectant use, contact time, rinsing and drying, inspection for damage, and appropriate storage.
Key takeaway
Ultimately, PAP mask disinfection is not simply a matter of wiping down equipment between patients. It is an infection-control process that should be supported by ACHC requirements, CDC guidance, accepted standards of practice, and the specific manufacturer’s instructions for use.
When these sources are incorporated into the laboratory’s written policies, staff training, and quality-control processes, the sleep center can establish a consistent and defensible approach to equipment reprocessing while helping protect both patients and staff.
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