Blog: Cleaning and disinfection with a washer disinfector

Cleaning and disinfection device in a veterinary practice

The hygienic reprocessing of instruments plays a crucial role in the modern veterinary practice. Automated cleaning and disinfection with a thermal disinfector offers an effective and standardized method to meet the requirements for cleanliness and safety. In addition to preserving the value of the instruments, it is a fundamental prerequisite for successful sterilization. In this article, you will learn why it makes sense to use a washer-disinfector, how the process works and what you should pay attention to when using it.

The advantages of a thermal disinfector in the veterinary practice

The use of a thermal disinfector offers numerous advantages that make everyday work in the practice considerably easier and at the same time increase safety.

1. time saving and efficiency

The washer-disinfector enables fast and automated cleaning and disinfection of instruments. In contrast to manual reprocessing, which can be time-consuming and laborious, the device saves valuable working time. The practice team can therefore concentrate more on treating the animals.

2. standardized processes

By using a thermal disinfector, instruments are always reprocessed according to the same programs and under consistent conditions. This ensures consistently high quality, regardless of different operators or other influencing factors.

3. safety of the practice team

The protection of staff is the top priority. As the washer-disinfector minimizes direct contact with contaminated instruments, the risk of puncture injuries, which often occur during manual cleaning, is significantly reduced.

4. preserving the value of the instruments

Gentle cleaning without aggressive disinfectants helps to keep instruments in good condition for longer. This leads to cost savings, as fewer replacements are necessary.

5. cost savings

Although the purchase of a washer-disinfector is an investment, there are considerable savings in the long term. With a washer disinfector, instruments can be cleaned and disinfected efficiently and cost-effectively. The low cycle costs for electricity, water and process media are around € 2.00 for MELAG products. This means that the purchase of a washer-disinfector pays for itself after around 25 months compared to manual cleaning and disinfection, which is more labor-intensive.

The process sequence: cleaning, disinfection and drying

Thermal disinfectors work with thermal processes in which hot water is used for disinfection. The entire process can be divided into several steps that ensure thorough reprocessing of the instruments.

1. pre-rinsing

In the first phase, coarse impurities and proteins are removed with cold water. This prevents proteins from becoming fixed to the instruments.

2. cleaning

Cleaning takes place at temperatures of 40 to 60 degrees Celsius over a period of at least five minutes. Alkaline cleaning agents adapted to the nature of the instruments are used.

3. neutralization

After cleaning, neutralization takes place to balance out the alkalinity of the cleaning agents. This removes cleaning agent residues and maximizes the cleaning result.

4. thermal disinfection

Thermal disinfection takes place at temperatures of 80 to 95 degrees Celsius. This high temperature ensures that all microorganisms are killed and no impurities are left behind.

5. drying

Drying the instruments is the final step. It can be carried out either by the washer-disinfector itself or by other means. Active drying in the appliance ensures that the instruments are hand-warm and dry after cleaning.

Tips for the optimal use of a thermal disinfector

In order to use the washer-disinfector efficiently and achieve the best possible results, some important instructions should be observed:

Suitable instruments
Only instruments that have been approved for automated cleaning may be reprocessed in the washer-disinfector.
Correct pre-treatment
Instruments should be collected after treatment without solution and water. Pre-cleaning with plastic brushes or ultrasonic devices is recommended for stubborn soiling.
Avoiding rinsing shadows
When loading the washer-disinfector, care must be taken to ensure that all surfaces of the instruments can be completely cleaned.
Drying
Integrated drying is preferable in order to dry the instruments quickly and safely.
Pre-cleaning with suitable tools: Stubborn soiling on instruments should preferably be cleaned with plastic brushes. In addition, an ultrasonic device can be used to remove heavily dried soiling.
Correct positioning of hollow instruments: Use appropriate adapters on the injector rail to also clean and disinfect the inside of hollow-body instruments such as turbines or endoscopes.
Maintenance and care of the device: Regular maintenance of the washer-disinfector is essential to ensure its proper functioning and long service life. Clean the filters regularly and carry out the prescribed disinfection cycles.
Documentation of the process parameters: Check whether the washer-disinfector has an integrated documentation function to record all relevant process parameters and ensure reproducible results.
Regular training for the team: Ensure that all team members who operate the washer-disinfector receive regular training to avoid errors and maximize the efficiency of the device.

Conclusion: Efficiency and safety with thermal disinfectors

A thermal disinfector offers numerous advantages in veterinary practices, from increasing efficiency and reducing costs to protecting the health of patients and the practice team. Investing in this technology pays off in the long term and makes a decisive contribution to quality assurance in the practice.

For further information and advice on the use of thermal disinfectors, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is at your side with professional expertise!