Manual Cleaning Reprecessing versus automated Surgical Instrument Washers
(Tunnel Washers, Washer Decontaminators Washer Disinfectors, Washer Strilizers)
Click Here to download the Cost Benefit Analysis in Excel spreadsheet format.
Click Here to download the Cost Benefit Analysis in .pdf format.
Cost Analysis compares the cost of manually cleaning reprocessing surgical instruments and/or scopes versus automated cleaning reprocessing using washer decontaminators, tunnel washers, and /or washer disinfectors. The Cost Benefit Analysis offers national average benchmark cost values that can be replaced actual cost values to produce a personalized cost benefit analysis. This “Washer decontaminator Cost Benefit Analysis” can also be used to forecast future changes in reprocessing costs and/or compare other alternative methods for cleaning surgical instruments and/or scopes.
The proper Cleaning, Disinfecting and Sterilizing of Surgical Instruments
will reduce Instrument Repair Costs.
Prolonged exposure of surgical instruments to dried on blood, fat, carbohydrates, starches, and protein can damage the surface and shorten their life.
Removing gross debris from surgical instruments as soon as possible following a surgical procedure will reduce the staining, pitting, and corrosion of surgical instruments.
Using a 4 enzyme detergent “foam” surgical instrument cleaner will reduce the risk of dangerous spills and splashing during transportation. Using a “foam” product rather than a “spray” product will eliminate the aerosols caused by spraying and will lay down a thicker layer of cleaning concentrate.
During soaking, ultrasonic cleaning, and cleaning with a washer decontaminator, the surface of surgical instruments should be exposed, with hinged surgical instruments in the open position.
If an instrument is not properly cleaned, it is not safe to handle during the prep & pack process, and it cannot be sterilized. “Clean” includes the removal of stains.
Apply a “high level”, “multi-tiered” combination enzyme detergent surgical instrument cleaner as soon as possible, following the surgical procedure.
After being cleaned in a properly designed Washer Decontaminator Washer Disinfector using a combination enzyme detergent cleaning concentrate: "evaluation of Washer Decontaminators Washer Disinfectors confirmed that the efficacy of disinfection was 100%". "All instruments and utensils tested were sterile at the completion of the process."
