Avoid Costly Downtime: How to Prevent Common Machine Misuse

Your Stanbridge sluice room machine is the backbone of infection control within your healthcare environment. The equipment is designed to work effectively and consistently every time, to clean and decontaminate reusable utensils. But even the toughest equipment has its limits if it’s being misused.

We want to ensure you get the most out of your machine and that it lasts for years to come. It might seem like a minor thing, but repeated misuse can lead to costly repairs and unexpected downtime. Here are the most common ways machines can get damaged and how to avoid them:

Physical Force

• The Lid – Forcing the lid or slamming it down too hard can affect the lid’s opening/closing mechanism if the action is frequently carried out. Make sure to close the lid without force. 
• The Foot Pedal – Stamping on the foot pedal or pushing on the side of the pedal can cause issues with the mechanism over time. It is important to push down gently in the middle of the pedal. 

Prohibited Items

• Foreign objects – Items such as sanitary pads, nappies, gloves, etc., are a strict no-no as they can cause plumbing blockages affecting the use of the machine. Flushing these items is also bad for the environment. Only reusable utensils such as bedpans and urine bottles should be used. 
• It’s not a dishwasher – It sounds strange, but it has happened! Never put cutlery or kitchenware in the machine to be cleaned. 

Neglecting serving and maintenance

• Failing to refill deoscale fluid. Deoscale helps to prevent the build-up of limescale within the machine. Neglecting to refill the deoscale liquid can allow limescale to build up within the heating element or internal pipes, eventually causing breakages. Limescale can also harbour bacteria, which can affect infection control. Purchase Deoscale Fluid Here.
• Not using the machine – Leaving your machine idle for long periods of time can also cause issues, for example, parts to seize. Regular usage keeps internal parts moving and healthy. If there is a reason you are not using the machine regularly its important to still run a cycle regularly. 
• Regular servicing – Having your machine regularly serviced and checked helps to prevent downtime as it allows our engineers to pick up possible issues before they occur. You can book your next service here.

Incorrect loading of utensils

One of the most common misuses is incorrect loading of the utensils. Ensuring they are placed into the machine correctly, facing the water jets, allows the items to be thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated, ready for reuse. Putting too many utensils in or facing them the wrong way can result in the items not being cleaned thoroughly. 

Here at Stanbridge, we provide operating manuals and loading charts for our machines. We can also provide comprehensive staff training to ensure everyone feels confident in using the machine. 

See the loading chart example below. If you would like to book a training session or you would like us to send free hard copies of our loading charts to hang in your sluice room for your staff to follow, do not hesitate to contact us. We have charts specifically designed for your Stanbridge machine. Don’t wait for a breakdown to take action.