With the world’s healthcare systems faced with the biggest challenge of a generation, many governments and providers are (rightly) investing heavily in hospital infrastructure. This is an excellent way to prepare for the increased pressure services will face in the coming months or years. However, this opportunity should be used to invest in the best system for you not only in the short-term, but also medium- to long-term.
What to consider for your sluice room:
As experts in sluice room organisation, we are receiving many queries about how to invest in a reliable sluice room in the current climate. From our experience, one-way systems (i.e. macerators) are the most secure systems against infection transmission. The one-way system follows international best-practice standards on using disposables in high-risk areas. Macerator costs are similar, if not lower, to those of washer-disinfectant systems and are environmentally friendly. Please see the links for further information on sluice room infection control, costs, clinical staff preferences, macerators and the one-way system.
Investing in bedpan washer-disinfectors
Continuing with existing system may seem the easiest option in the current crisis. But surely healthcare centres should focus on investing in the best system? Supporting healthcare workers during a time of extreme demand is essential. Proving the safest, easiest and fastest equipment is an important way to do this. Bedpan washer-disinfectors have clinically proven disinfection failure rates of up to 33% and are widely unpopular amongst care staff (Bryce et al. 2015, 566-70). At this time, performance and reliability is essential. Consider the implications before investing in sluice room systems.
For free and fast advice, please contact us now.
Further reading
Bryce, Elizabeth, Allison Lamsdale, Leslie Forrester, Linda Dempster, Sydney Scharf, Michael Mcauley, Ian Clearie, Sharon Stapleton, and Sheila Browning. “Bedpan Washer Disinfectors: An in-Use Evaluation of Cleaning and Disinfection.” American Journal of Infection Control 39, no. 7 (2011): 566–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmii.2015.02.055.
