What exactly is a washer disinfector/thermal disinfector? A washer disinfector, also known as a dry bath or dry compound, is an electrically operated device that involves a sealed enclosure to act as a drying medium between the surface to be cleaned and a carrier compound, usually in the form of a foam or spray. The useful tracking and recordkeeping of the various process parameters to ensure consistent and repeatable decontamination processes. The machine generally includes a central processing unit (CPU) and optional attachment units such as a carbon block heater, optional heavy duty steamers, optional rubber packers, optional steam nozzles and optional accessories such as drying chambers, optional air compressors, optional water heaters, optional dryers and optional wet mixers.
The main function of a washing machine disinfectant is to eliminate biological hazards and keep the working environment safe. It is necessary for use on surgical instruments, laser devices, and any other devices that are subjecting to open moisture or high temperatures. A washer disinfector/thermal air cleaner is recommended for cleaning and sterilizing medical instrumentation especially in clinical settings because it is less harsh than most antibacterial solutions and does not contain chlorination byproducts. Washing your surgical instruments before and after a surgical procedure keeps your instruments sterile and prevents contamination. A washer disinfector/thermal air cleaner is important for use in medical facilities.
An important part of effective surgical procedure is infection control and prevention. The most common cause of infection in surgical situations is ineffective sterilization procedures, i.e., ineffective cleaning, inappropriate temperature, low concentration of antiseptics and other chemicals, inadequate drying, lack of adequate heat and pH control and direct exposure to blood or other bodily fluids. Washing your instruments before and after a surgical procedure helps prevent cross contamination of infected instrument parts and makes surgical procedure more hygienic. Washing procedure also ensures that your washer disinfector provides safe and reliable protection against biological agents, minimizing the risks of surgical procedure complications.
There are different types of washer disinfectors available today depending on your needs and specifications. The three basic types of cleaning materials are hot, cold and mechanical. Mechanical cleaning methods include pressure washers, manual cleaning methods and ultrasonic cleaning methods. Hot water extraction (HWER) is considered to be the best method for sterilization and hot water machines are commonly used in most surgical facilities.
Before using a washer disinfector or sanitizer, it is advisable to conduct thorough research regarding the specific disinfectant or sanitizer being used to protect your medical devices and instruments from contamination. Some of the most common types of cleaning agents that should be used include: PHMB, Phosphoric acid-based neutralizer, Chlorox, Methylene Chloride (MCL), Thrombin, Tetraglycid, Carbolic acid, Trihalomethane (THM), Chromic anhydride (CA), Chloroform, Chlorodiphenyl, Isopropyl alcohol (IPA), Benzalkonium Chloride (BB), Iodine solution, Iodine (II), Iodine (III), Phosphate-based alkaline water and pH stabilizers. Based on the type of device, cleaning agents should be selected that can effectively remove microorganisms, restore pH, kill microorganisms, restore electrical charge and maintain biological activity or functionality of microorganisms or instruments.
One of the greatest advantages of using an automated cleaning machine is the reduction in operating costs as well as eliminating the need for manual disinfection. In addition, it increases productivity, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency of a hospital or medical center as a whole. Thus, automated washer disinfector benefits not only healthcare facilities but also industrial companies. Moreover, with the use of modern technology, it has become possible to provide higher quality washer disinfectant solutions that save more time and energy as compared to manual sanitization process.