We have a new ultrasonic in our department that has been set by the manufacturer to degas for 20 minutes at the start of the day. Further to this, at every cycle there is a 2 minute degas phase and then a 4 minute ultrasonic cleaning stage. This was originally set at 3 minutes and 10 minutes respectively, it was a long process for quick turn around on urgent instruments. Can anyone tell me what is the norm for time frames for each of these stages - Initial Degas - Every Cycle Degas - Ultrasonic Cleaning.

Thanking you
Debbie

Debbie

The original settings seem more normal than the shorter times. Degassing is important at each water change to allow the ultrasonic process to work. If it is not done in line with the manufacturer's recommendations then the ultrasonic process will be inhibited. The process time obviously needs to be long enough to enable full and proper cleaning. As a general rule you may wish to work on a worst case basis. In the UK we would test cleaning efficacy by two tests - protein residue and test soil. If the exposure time is long enough to achieve satisfactory test results on a worst case then it is OK. How you solve the conflict between processing time and time available is another matter.

Hope this is helpful

Peter Hooper