INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL The Vacumatic waste disposal system.


performance, fewer breakdowns, optimal uptime, lower energy bills, and faster (and less costly) repairs. The savings are easily quantifiable, and the peace of mind is priceless. Consider signing up to a chemical plan. This will reduce the cost of consumables such as wash and scale inhibitor (for bedpan washer- disinfectors) and disinfectant (for medical pulp macerators) by up to 15%. Chemicals will be delivered when needed – either monthly, quarterly, or yearly. This ensures security of supply, eliminating another worry. Using a manufacturer with a proven track record also helps to ensure they will supply the right quality chemicals. Seemingly cheaper alternatives can be a false economy, because you may need to use more. Worse still – using unapproved chemicals or an incorrect dosage can damage the machine and/or reduce its operational lifespan.


Infection prevention: depth of defence Bedpan washer-disinfectors and medical pulp macerators are at the heart of any good sluice room, but they are by no means the full story. There is much more to consider – and again, advances in technology are pushing forward the boundaries of infection prevention and control.


Key components A well-equipped sluice room should also include: n Stainless steel furniture that can withstand strong cleaning agents. Smooth surfaces and clean welds minimise the risk of dirt traps. Sluice room furniture in UK hospitals must comply with the requirements of Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 64,


70 Health Estate Journal June 2024


a set of guidelines and standards developed by the Department of Health Estates and Facilities Division. HTM 64 focuses on the design and installation of healthcare furniture, including sluice room equipment and sanitary assemblies. It provides guidance on the design, manufacture, and installation of sanitary assemblies in healthcare facilities, with the goal of ensuring safety, hygiene, and efficiency. The document covers various aspects of healthcare furniture, including materials, construction, and infection control measures. It is particularly relevant to areas where sanitation and hygiene are critical. Two grades of stainless steel are used for sluice room furniture: 304 is the world’s most popular type of stainless steel, notably because it is the one used for cutlery. 316 is marine grade stainless steel. It offers even greater protection against corrosion, because the alloy contains molybdenum.


n UVC water trap disinfectors that use ultraviolet light to kill off biofilm-forming bacteria in water traps, one of the most contaminated areas of a hospital or care home. Sink water traps are a breeding ground for lethal multidrug- resistant (MDR) bacteria that can infect patients, clinicians, and hospital visitors. Infection risks occur when water used for staff handwashing, patient hygiene, and washing devices, becomes contaminated, and is then drained through the sinks. If the water flow is restricted, biofilm-forming bacteria may create stable reservoirs in waste pipes and semi-horizontal drainpipes. Bacteria that form in one water trap or wastepipe can easily spread to other nearby sinks. A good UVC water trap disinfector should eliminate multi-drug resistant Carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO), Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and bacteria that produce Extended-spectrum beta- lactamases (ESBL).


n UV air purification technology that draws in polluted air and treats it using UV light and photocatalytic oxidation. UVMATIC air purifiers combine three technologies – photoplasma, ozone, and negative ions – to destroy viruses such as influenza, as well as E.coli, Salmonella and similar bacteria. UV air purifiers are highly effective at removing unpleasant smells. They kill the bacteria that cause malodours – improving hygiene, and leaving rooms smelling fresh and clean.


n Tough medical-grade flooring that is resistant to liquids and stains, is easy to clean, has anti-slip properties, and low emissions of volatile organic compounds (improving air quality).


n Tiled or aseptic laminate wallcoverings that are robust, stain-resistant, and easy to clean/disinfect.


Zoe Allen


Zoe Allen is the Marketing and HR director at DDC Dolphin. She joined the infection prevention and control specialist in May 2016 as Marketing manager, before becoming Marketing director in January 2017, and adding Product Innovation and HR directorship roles in October 2021 and May 2023 respectively.


DDC Dolphin offers ‘complete turnkey solutions’ for the design, installation, and refurbishment of sluice rooms for hospitals and care homes worldwide. The company manufactures medical pulp macerators, bedpan washer- disinfectors, and incontinence product macerators. It also supplies the Vacumatic waste disposal system, UVMATIC air purifiers, and UVC Water Trap Disinfectors.


Zoe is responsible for the planning, development, and delivery of all of DDC Dolphin’s global marketing, brand, and communication strategies and activities. She works closely with the group’s UK and international sales teams and global distributor network. In February 2021, she also became Marketing director at Hygenex, a DDC Dolphin brand that is now a separate company in its own right. Hygenex products include machine and patient care consumables, hospital-grade stainless steel furniture, and sluice room accessories.


Consider also how waste will be


collected and stored if it is to be disposed of by third-party contractors. This waste must be stored safely prior to disposal if it is not to become an infection hazard. Machines such as Vacumatic enable staff to collect waste safely by vacuum compacting, sanitising, and hermetically sealing, waste bags. Vacumatic is a 100% hygienic and odourless waste disposal system – and because it compacts the waste, it can help hospitals and care homes save money if they pay for disposal on a ‘per collection’ basis, rather than by weight.


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