Washer-Disinfectors

Question 1

Where does washing and disinfection take place in a washer disinfector?

Answer 1

the chamber

Question 1

Where are instruments positioned in a washer disinfector?

Answer 1

the load carrier

Question 2

What does it mean when washer-disinfectors are described as automated?

Answer 2

once the operator has pressed the start button, the machine will automatically run through the cycle

Question 3

What does the pre-wash stage in a washer-disinfector aim to do?

Answer 3

saturate of the contamination and remove the gross contamination

Question 4

What does the main wash stage in a washer-disinfector aim to do?

Answer 4

supplemented by detergent to more effectively remove biological matter

Question 5

What does the rinse stage in a washer-disinfector aim to do?

Answer 5

remove any remaining residue, biological or chemical before disinfection

Question 6

What does the thermal disinfection stage in a washer-disinfector aim to do?

Answer 6

actively kill microorganisms with the use of heated water

Question 7

What does the drying stage in a washer-disinfector aim to do?

Answer 7

use of hot air to remove any remaining moisture from the surface of the instruments

Question 8

What temperatures must be achieved at each of the washer-disinfector stages?

Answer 8

• prewash
  
  • less than 35 degrees
• main wash
  
  • chemical determines temperature
• rinse
  
  • less than 65 degrees
• thermal disinfection
  
  • 90-95 degrees
    
    • minimum of 1 minute
• drying
  
  • generally 100 degrees
    
    • not specified

Question 9

What are the advantages of using a washer-disinfector as the first stage of the decontamination process?

Answer 9

• no need to manually clean
• fresh water for every stage
  
  • removes contamination
    
    • instruments
    • machine
• safe to handle after thermal disinfection
  
  • inspection before sterilisation
• consistency
• traceability
  
  • printable record of each cycle

Question 10

What are the daily checks required for a washer disinfector?

Answer 10

• free spinning of spray arms
• no blocking of spray jets
• no debris in strainer/filter
• condition of door seal
• suitable amount of chemical
• record disinfection temp of first cycle

Question 11

What are the loading requirements for a washer-disinfector?

Answer 11

• available load carrier must be used
• clip trays positioned correctly
• no overlapping/shadowing
• hinged instruments open at hinge
• assemblies disassembled

Question 12

What must be carried out after instruments have been through the washer-disinfector and what is used to do this?

Answer 12

• inspection
  
  • damage
  • remaining contamination
• illuminated magnifier

Question 13

What must be done if inspection shows instruments to have residual contamination after the washer-disinfector?

Answer 13

• ultrasonic cleaning
  
  • especially good for hinges
• manual cleaning