How do bedpan washer disinfectors decontaminate

Our bedpan washer disinfectors play a vital role in infection prevention and control for hospitals and care homes. They are designed to automatically clean reusable bedpans with high-pressure water jets and decontaminate by thermal disinfection using steam, stopping the spread of infections such as norovirus, C diff and many more. 

How do they work? 

Our machines are designed for maximum efficiency and ease of use, ensuring a seamless and reliable decontamination process. The machines work by:

• Disposing of Contents – Safely disposing of the contents of the bedpans and urine bottles.
• Thorough Cleaning – The utensils are then thoroughly cleaned with powerful water jets, removing all soil and residues. 
• Thermal Disinfection – Following the cleaning phase, the bedpans, commode pots or urine bottles are then thermally disinfected with steam to remove pathogens and microorganisms. This is a crucial step which ensures the items are safe for reuse and prevents the spread of infections.

How does thermal disinfection work? 

Thermal disinfection relies on a combination of temperature and exposure time.

This is because live proteins are unable to survive against high and constant heat exposure, as it renders them inactive. Therefore, all machines need to hold steam at a specific minimum temperature (80°c) for a precise period of time (60 seconds), to eliminate all microorganisms and bacteria. 

Moist heat (like steam) is much better and faster at killing germs than dry heat (like hot air). This is because when steam touches something colder, it quickly turns back to water, releasing a huge burst of stored heat directly on the utensils, heating them up quickly. Dry heat works by gradually warming items.

Steam can also get into tiny cracks and surfaces more easily, and the water helps to break down proteins that the germs need to survive, killing them off faster than dry heat. 

Another advantage of using thermal decontamination is that it doesn’t leave behind any harmful chemicals, making it safe for staff and residents when reusing the bedpans. All of Stanbridge’s bedpans thermally disinfect utensils above the required time and temperature and are built to reach 86°c for 70 seconds, ensuring all pathogens are killed in the process, making them a great option for healthcare facilities where staff and residents’ safety is paramount, providing peace of mind and helping to reduce staff HCAIs.

Adhering to EN ISO 15883 & ISO 15883-3

Stanbridge is committed to protecting patients, residents and staff through reliable and compliant solutions. We ensure that all of our bedpan washer disinfectors meet the requirements of EN ISO 15883 & ISO 15883-3. These are the international benchmarks for washer disinfectors for medical purposes. 

In addition to this, our bedpan washer disinfectors also meet British Standards and the recommendations of WRAS. WRAS approval means our products comply with the highest water quality and safety standards. You can view more about WRAS approval here. 

Sustainable Solution

Beyond this, our machines are designed with the environment in mind. Helping healthcare facilities meet their sustainability targets, reduce environmental impact, and potentially lower operational costs. This is achieved by:

• Minimal water consumption
• No harsh disinfectant chemicals
• Reduced carbon footprint by operating with lower energy consumption

Ready to enhance infection control in your facility and ensure the highest standards of patient, resident and staff safety? View our range of bedpan washer disinfectors here. Alternatively, you can speak to our experts on 01689 806500 for expert advice and a free, no-obligation quote.