INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL
How efficient is the bedpan washer disinfection process? What is the cycle time? Can the machine deal quickly with large numbers of bedpans?
n Does the bedpan washer meet all the relevant industry standards and regulations? What are its certifications? Will the machine comply with infection control guidelines?
n How easy is the bedpan washer to use? Does it have any automated features that make it simpler and more user- friendly to operate? How much training will the staff need?
n What are the recommended service intervals? How easy is it to clean, disinfect, and service the machine? Does the supplier offer any technical support or service agreements that will help to reduce operating costs and make them more predictable? How can the supplier help to reduce administration time and costs?
n How much water and energy does the equipment consume per cycle? What eco-friendly features does the machine have? Can its software be customised to make it run more efficiently in different medical settings?
n Is the machine compatible with various types of bedpans, commode pots, and urine bottles? Can it handle different sizes and materials?
n What safety features are there to protect users and patients? How does the machine deal with infectious waste without risking cross-contamination?
n How much space will each machine take up? What are its utility requirements? Is any special plumbing or electrical work needed?
n What is the overall cost of purchasing and installing each machine? How much will it cost to operate, service and maintain? Are there any long-term cost savings or efficiencies that will benefit the user organisation?
Then there is the matter of repairs. A good manufacturer should be able to service and maintain all makes of machines – not just their own. This reduces the number
PPM delivered via a pre-agreed service contract can cut the cost of the average breakdown to just £347, DDC says.
of engineer call-outs, ensuring that non- functioning machines are fixed faster, and at lower cost.
Cutting the cost of repairs Many sluice machine breakdowns are caused by misuse or lack of servicing. A bedpan washer-disinfector’s biggest enemy is limescale. It only takes 1 mm of limescale to increase the energy usage of a bedpan washer disinfector by 11%. NHS Trusts that are serious about saving money and meeting their Net Zero targets should tackle limescale as a priority. Multiply that 11% rise in energy costs by the number of bedpan washers being used, and suddenly the power bills can start to look very troubling. Think about it: for every nine limescale-affected bedpan washers a hospital operates, it is effectively paying for the energy of a tenth machine that is not there – with all the associated negative impact on the Trust’s carbon footprint; all at a time when Net Zero is the target. Aside from the high energy costs, limescale can also result in some big repair bills. The true cost of a machine breakdown averages £633 (assuming there is no service contract in place). This average cost is based on: n A call-out charge of £217. n Labour at £116/hour. n Parts: £300.
However, planned preventative maintenance delivered through a pre-
agreed service contract can cut the cost of the average breakdown to just £347, a 45% reduction in cost. Importantly, the machine will be fixed faster – within 24 rather than 72 hours. That’s a crucial consideration because it means the machine can be returned to infection prevention duties sooner – safeguarding everyone in the hospital from the risk of healthcare- associated infections (HCAIs). Choose a sluice room equipment
manufacturer that has the expertise and experience to work on all brands of machines – you will save on call-out charges and spend less time waiting for the right engineer to arrive. Establish a baseline – get your sluice machines audited by a specialist so you know precisely what needs servicing, repairing, or replacing, and when. Choose a supplier with an online portal so that you can assess the condition and requirements of all your bedpan washer-disinfectors and medical pulp macerators quickly and easily, ‘24/7’, from any location with good broadband or a reliable mobile phone signal. Always think about the full lifetime cost of running each machine. Use of scale inhibitor and proper servicing/maintenance will extend the operational life of the machine and result in savings on energy, repairs, and replacement (compared with a badly maintained machine). Ensure that your machines are covered
by a service plan – proper planned preventative maintenance means better
June 2024 Health Estate Journal 69
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