Washer Disinfectors V Manual Washing Who Wins?

A question we get asked alot in the industry is why should we purchase a washer disinfector as we have always manually washed our instruments, there are a number of reasons below including time-saving, results & cost. Whether your a dental practice, tattooist, podiatrist or Veterinary organisation having a washer disinfector would change your decon room into more modern times.

1. Washer Disinfectors:
   • Advantages:
     • Effective Cleaning: Washer disinfectors provide reproducible and validated cleaning of dental instruments.
     • Time-Saving: Automation reduces manual labor and saves time.
     • Consistent Results: The process is repeatable, ensuring consistent outcomes.
     • Reduced Risk: Lower risk of sharp injuries compared to manual methods.
   • Considerations:
     • Cost: Initial investment in a washer disinfector.
     • Space: Requires space in the practice.
     • Validation: Regular validation is necessary.
     • Guidelines: Currently considered “Best Practice” in some regions.
2. Manual Washing:
   • Advantages:
     • Acceptable Method: Manual cleaning is considered “acceptable” within essential-quality requirements.
     • Control: Staff can control critical parameters.
     • Training: Staff training is essential.
   • Challenges:
     • Validation Difficulty: Variables and inconsistencies in individual cleaning styles make manual cleaning difficult to validate.
     • Injury Risk: Greater risk of injury to decontamination staff.
     • Effectiveness: Not as effective as washer disinfectors.
   • When to Use:
     • Manual cleaning is suitable when other methods are not appropriate or when washer disinfectors are temporarily unavailable¹.

In summary, while manual cleaning is acceptable, washer disinfectors are currently considered best practice for dental practices. They offer consistent results, reduce risks, and ensure effective instrument cleaning.

Please check our washer disinfectors at our website Washer Disinfectors | Dental Decontamination

For more info please contact us on sales@dentaldecontamination.co.uk