CS CONNECTION “Effective drying starts with a highly effi cient dry-
ing system,” said Brodowski. “Our Rel iance Vision and 7053L Single Chamber washer/disinfector’s drying phases reach all instruments and optimize the evaporation of any remaining moisture. Correct loading of the washer/disinfector is also crucial. Double stacking or overloading of trays and the use of plastic inserts should be avoided whenever possible.” HPN
Steelco’s advanced loading automation for its instrument washers with integrated pre-cleaning and the US 1000 module
“Drying is the big challenge,” said Nies.
“Just like those hard to dry plastic food storage containers in your home dishwasher, medical washers are now seeing more low heat con- ductive materials, such as plastics, that need to be washed and dried. We often see special longer dry time cycles set up in the washers and advise personnel to sort the instrument sets and try to load those with plastics together so only those loads need the longer cycle. That helps to reduce post washer hand dry- ing, which is ineffi cient and time consuming, without slowing everything down.” “Process all metallic items together to get
the maximum benefit from process tem- peratures - the hotter the goods, the easier they will dry,” said Cain. “Use treated water such as RO or DI water for fi nal rinsing, as this will reduce droplets or clinging water on loads. Utilize very hot water for the fi nal rinse (between 185°F – 190°F) just prior to drying to promote fl ash drying. Also, make certain HEPA fi lters are clean and air fl ow is not obstructed. I also suggest utilizing wash racks that force drying air through the spray arms and injectors.”
Cain notes how some washers/disinfectors now feature a drying sensor, which monitors humidity of the chamber air during the drying phase and controls drying time accordingly. “Traditionally, drying is a preset time dura- tion programmed into the cycle parameters. Depending on the load, the preset time will be too long for partial loads and too short for heavy loads,” said Cain. “Drying by chamber/ load humidity saves time and energy with partial loads and produces more consistent drying results across all loads.”
Cole stresses the importance of ensuring instruments are thoroughly dried both inside and out:
“Many washers out in the market can dry
the outside of the instruments, but Medisafe’s Niagara SI PCF has Soft Shot Air Purge to dry the inside of the instruments,” said Cole. According to Brodowski, highly effi cient drying systems recycle 90 percent of the air used, which shortens drying phases to fi ve- to-seven minutes with an exhaust of only 10 percent. These features reduce energy usage and impact on the facility’s ventilation system.
hpnonline.com • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS • January 2016 25 Visit
www.ksrleads.com/?601hp-002
Visit
www.hponline.com/inside/2016-01/1601-CS- Washers.html for the sidebar, “Tips for selecting a washer.”
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