What Is A Sluice Room?

A sluice room is a designated area in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and care homes where the disposal of waste, such as human waste, medical waste, and soiled items, are handled. This specialised room is essential for maintaining hygiene standards and preventing the spread of infections within the facility. Sluice rooms are equipped with various sanitation, cleaning and decontamination devices, and are crucial in the workflow of healthcare professionals, including nurses and care assistants.

What happens in a sluice room?

In a sluice room, several critical processes take place to ensure the proper handling and disposal of waste. This includes the cleaning and disinfection of bedpans, commode pots, urinals, and other reusable items. Medical and human waste are disposed of safely, ensuring that cross-contamination is minimised. Sluice rooms are also used for the disposal of incontinence products, the storage of cleaning supplies, and the segregation of waste into different categories to comply with health and safety regulations.

Why are sluice rooms so important?

Sluice rooms play a vital role in maintaining the hygiene standards of healthcare facilities. By providing a controlled environment where waste is managed, sluice rooms help in preventing the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). They ensure that waste is disposed of hygienically and that equipment used in patient care is cleaned and disinfected/decontaminated appropriately. The presence of a well-organised sluice room can also improve the efficiency of healthcare staff by providing a centralised location for managing waste and cleaning equipment.

How do sluice rooms help reduce healthcare associated infections (HCAI)?

Sluice rooms are a frontline defence in infection prevention and control. By having dedicated spaces for the disposal and decontamination of waste, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the risk of HCAIs. Sluice rooms are designed to prevent cross-contamination between clean and dirty items. Using specialised equipment such as bedpan washer-disinfectors ensures that reusable items are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before being used again. Additionally, proper waste segregation and disposal reduce the risk of pathogens being spread throughout the facility.

What equipment is required in a sluice room?

A well-equipped sluice room is essential for maintaining hygiene and infection control. Stainless Steel equipment is the recommended option. Find out more about the benefits of stainless steel equipment in a Sluice Room. Some of the key equipment required includes:

Bedpan washer

A bedpan washer disinfector is a critical piece of equipment in a sluice room, designed to clean and decontaminate bedpans and other reusable utensils. Compared to macerators, which shred and dispose of waste products into your drainage system, bedpan washers are more cost-effective over time and reduce the environmental impact by allowing the reuse of equipment. The use of macerators within a sluice room could potentially result in blocked drains and costly repair bills. Further information on the advantages of reusable equipment vs. macerators can be found here. Bedpan washers ensure thorough disinfection, which is crucial in maintaining high hygiene standards. You can learn more about the benefits of bedpan washers disinfectors.

Storage

Effective storage solutions are crucial in a sluice room to keep the area organised and efficient. This includes cupboards, shelving, and bottle racks that provide space for clean items and keep them easily accessible. Proper storage also helps to maintain the cleanliness of the room by preventing cross-contamination between clean and dirty items. Explore our range of storage solutions, from cupboards, and islands to bottle racks shelving.

Reusable Equipment

Reusable items, such as bedpans and commode pots, are commonly used in sluice rooms. These items must be cleaned and disinfected after each use to prevent infection. High-quality, durable equipment ensures that these items can be reused safely. Discover more about reusable sluice room equipment.

Sinks & Hand Wash Basins

Hand hygiene is paramount in infection control, making sinks and hand wash basins a necessary component of any sluice room. These basins should be easily accessible for healthcare staff to wash their hands before and after handling waste and soiled items. Check out our range of sinks and basins.

Consumables & PPE

It’s important not to overlook consumables and personal protective equipment (PPE) in a sluice room. This includes items like gloves, aprons, and paper hand towels, which are essential for maintaining hygiene standards. Proper dispensers for these items should be installed to ensure easy access and encourage their use by staff. For more information, take a look at our consumables range.

Air Sterilisation

While not essential, air sterilisation can be a valuable addition to a sluice room. It helps to reduce airborne pathogens, and prevents unpleasant odours from seeping into the common areas and residents rooms, contributing to a cleaner and safer environment. Air sterilisers are particularly useful in facilities with high infection rates or where vulnerable patients are cared for. Learn more about air sterilisation options.

How to use a sluice room?

Effective use of a sluice room involves understanding the flow of clean and dirty items. It is crucial to separate clean areas from contaminated zones to prevent cross-contamination. Proper training in infection control protocols and sluice room use is essential for healthcare staff. At Stanbridge, we provide comprehensive infection control and sluice room training to ensure that your facility operates at the highest hygiene standards.

Sluice room tips and requirements

1. Always wear appropriate PPE when handling waste or soiled items.
2. Ensure proper segregation of waste into the correct disposal containers.
3. Regularly clean and disinfect the sluice room and all equipment.
4. Implement a clear protocol for the flow of clean and dirty items.
5. Provide training for all staff members on the correct use of the sluice room.
6. Consider the use of air sterilisers for enhanced infection control.

Need help planning your sluice room?

Planning a sluice room requires careful consideration of workflow, equipment, and infection control protocols. At Stanbridge, we offer a comprehensive sluice room design service, including CAD drawings, to help developers, contractors, and architects create efficient and compliant sluice rooms. Our expertise ensures that your sluice room meets all necessary hygiene standards and operates smoothly.

Contact a member of our expert team today to confidentially discuss your sluice room requirements.