Designed for healthcare environments
August 1st 2011 A well-planned and properly fitted
hospital sluice room is a cornerstone of
hygiene and freedom from cross
infections, says Miele Professional
There are many factors to consider when selecting sluice room
equipment. From fixtures and fittings, such as installing tiled
walls or aseptic laminate to make the room easier to clean
through to sensor operated taps for enhanced
hygiene. But when selecting laundry
equipment, hospitals need to make sure the
installed machine is fitted with a dump valve
drain system and also features a special wash
programme.The programme should be
designed to effectively deal with the
processing of infectious and potentially
infectious laundry by applying the following
sequence:
High water level sluice cycle
Thermal disinfection cycle one
Thermal disinfection cycle two (option)
Rinse cycles
The initial sluice cycle incorporates
mechanical action to break down solid
particulates, which easily pass through the large
diameter dump valve drain.Thermal disinfection takes place at time
and temperature combinations as defined in NHS Executive Health
Service Guideline HSG (95) 18.
Installations must conform to National Water Regulations; if the
washing machine is connected to mains water it must have category
5-water protection backed up by a WRAS test certificate.
Reliable machines are essential to achieve consistent high standards
concerning the processing of infected laundry in hospitals and nursing
homes, and to minimise the risk of cross infection.
With Miele's freely programmable Profi-M controls on 10 kg to 32,
in addition to the standard programmes such as cottons, minimum
iron,woollens, and so on,Miele application engineers have
developed wash programmes to cater for healthcare applications
which meet UK directives and guidelines.The Profi-M control offers a
high degree of flexibility to ensure 'future proofing' as and when the
market dictates change.
Making cleaning larger loads easier
The Miele Octoplus, a powerful PW 5105 10kg
commercial washing machine is said to make
cleaning larger loads easier with both 230v and 400v
electrical versions available,wash loads can be
increased without the expense of upgrading the
power supply. It's 10kg 100-litre drum allows for easy
loading of larger items, and the sluice cycle for
thermal disinfection.
The PW 5105 comes with programs that conform
to the requirements of The Care Standard Act 2000.
Octoplus machines offer short programme running
times even in disinfection programmes.An additional
self-cleaning hygiene programme is available to
ensure the machine itself meets the utmost
standards.
The operating costs of Miele's Octoplus product line
are lower, especially in light of the rising energy prices.The washerextractor,
for example,has energy savings of up to 73% and water savings
of up to 56% compared to previous models.The machines have all the
technical sophistication needed to
ensure economical laundry care. More articles from Miele Limited: | 
