Bedpan washer disinfectors are a tried and tested infection control solution that remains a firm favourite in care homes and certain medical facilities around the world.

Although alternatives exist in the form of front loading bedpan washer disinfectors and pulp macerators, the top loading bedpan washer disinfector still represents an effective infection control solution.

However, it’s important to make sure that the infection control solution you’ve chosen is right for you. Here are our list benefits – and a few considerations – for this time tested infection control solution.

Benefits

Capacity

This means that you won’t find yourself with an unpleasant and hazardous backlog of soiled reusable bedpans.  Top loading bedpan washers have sizeable capacity. In the case of the Optima 2 and Optima 3 they have a chamber capable of handling the demands of a high traffic sluice/dirty utility/pan room.

Multi-directional Array  

The nozzles are positioned in such a way as to ensure all the utensils receive a consistent supply of water and get thoroughly cleaned.  The top loading bedpan washer disinfectors use a sophisticated multidirectional array to ensure the utensil has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Suitable for isolation rooms 

Because top loading bedpan washer disinfectors are freestanding they are ideal for private or isolation rooms where the risk of infection is simply too great to have a bedpan carried through a facility.

Convenience 

Top loading bedpan washer disinfectors are easy to load as the opening is at waist height. That means no awkward bending down or anything like that.

No Leaks 

Because the machine is top loaded and the chamber is made from a single piece of metal there is no risk of leaks.

Noise Levels 

Needless to say, an infection control cycle that sits between whispering and a casual chat is important, especially if the machine has been installed in an isolation ward.  Most of our infection control solutions sit somewhere between 50 and 60 decibels when operational which may seem a lot but the average conversation is around 60 decibels and the average car in motion creates 100 decibels.

Considerations

Size

Providing your sluice/dirty utility/pan room has been designed for the equipment this shouldn’t pose a problem. However be aware it can occupy more space than other solutions.  Because the top loading bedpan washer is freestanding – and designed to cope with regular use, it naturally occupies more room.

Location

If the top loading bedpan washer is replacing a different solution then take into consideration that your sluice/dirty utility/pan room may need to be adjusted to suit.  By extension of it being freestanding, it cannot be incorporated (easily) into a unit and it isn’t suitable for under counter installation for obvious reasons.

Energy and Water Usage

All of our machines are designed to use water and energy as efficiently as possible but due to the nature of how bedpan washer disinfectors work they naturally use more water and energy.  But this investment in running costs is more than offset by ensuring your patient’s safety as the cost of an outbreak is far higher.

The most important thing is that you choose the right solution not only for your facility but for your staff in order for them to deliver the best possible care to your patients of residents.

You also need to ensure that whatever solution you opt for will comply with your infection control procedures and meet the demands of where it’s going.

Contact us today and one of our team can talk through your options and together we can find the best infection control solution for you.