ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

A system that assesses the durability and functionality of medical devices after machine-washing them has been developed in Germany by TÜV SÜD.

The system facilitates the testing of items such as hospital beds, patient hoists and walking aids after they have undergone washing cycles. Factors such as surface finishes, electronics, plastic components and the resilience of movable parts during the washing process can all be evaluated.

Reliable hygiene measures are crucial in preventing infections and there is growing demand for efficient cleaning processes in the healthcare industry, according to TÜV SÜD. This is due to a combination of factors including greater competition, rising costs and the COVID-19 pandemic.

All testing adheres to industry standards depending on specific criteria regarding the number of washing cycles that devices should be able to withstand. And the test procedures take into account parameters such as temperature, pH and the cleaning agents used.

Machine reprocessing is becoming increasingly popular in Germany, according to TÜV SÜD. Beds tend to be taken to a central department where they are cleaned, disinfected and dried at the push of a button in order to reduce the workload of nursing teams and minimise human contact with potentially infectious surfaces.

The testing facility also recycles around 75 per cent of the water used in the washing process, saving energy and water. And TÜV SÜD is also now considering introducing other sustainable measures such as heat recovery from the wastewater and carbon-neutral energy generation through photovoltaics.