Hello collegues,
I am chasing information with regard to the most effective disinfector within ISO standards - the tunnelwasher or the batchwasher. At present my unit has a tunnelwasher - we are due for upgrade.

Can I please have feedback regarding the pros and cons of both.
Regards
Jo
Australia

Hello Joanne!

I'm writing in my capacity as an Authorised Person this position is described throughout the HTM20 series of guidelines. In reply to your question on the choice of washer/disinfector. From personal experience the verification of tmp,s and physical conditions especially were a hospital uses a system of parametric realease is much more difficult and challenging with the tunnel washer as opposed to the batch. Your hospital maintenance and testing department will have an easier task complying with the conditionsr equired in HTM2030 or equivalents upgrading to batch washers as opposed to tunnel.

Can I also take this opportunity to make contact on employment prospect in AUSTRALIA. I possibly will be traveling to Australia in FEB/MARCH of 2001 for several months, I'm looking for temporary contract any suggestions.

yours [email protected]

Regarding the pros and cons of tunnel to batch washers; 2 years ago my department installed 4 Avenatech-Belimed "Batch washers". My decision was based on two key problems of the tunnel washers. First and foremost was the primary problem that when a portion of the tunnel washer breaks down, the entire unit is out of use. Secondly, tunnel washers take up an enormous amount of space. Using our available space, we doubled our washer units, decreased processing time by %80 while reducing water consumption by %20 per load. Load documentation, temp verification and maintenance are all easy to access and with the addition of a conveyor belt, we've reduce injuries and streamlined workflow. Hope this helps.

Michael L. Hamrick, TSgt, USAF
NCOIC, Decontamination

59 SOS/MCOS
2200 Berquist Dr. Suite 1
Wilford Hall Medical Center
Lackland AFB, TX 78236
210-292-6947