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Posted By Corrina Evans
Has anyone had experience of the Eschmann Little Sister ? One of the surgeries that I advise is having to empty the autoclave by tipping it ( 27.5 kg + 2.0 litres of water )I have pointed out that this is too heavy for one member of staff, many manual handling issues here, plus slips, trips and falls not to mention burns ! However the engineer who services the autoclave states that this is the only way to empty it. I have suggested they change the way they sterilise items, they say it is too expensive. Has anyone had a similar problem ? If anyone could throw some light on the subject I would be very grateful !
Corrina Evans
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Posted By Alec Wood
Try the manufacturers who have a website at http://www.eschmann.co.uk
I agree, it's too heavy. Maybe you should consider pumping the water out with a small syphon pump or similar device, or discussing with a specialist welder the possibility of fitting some kind of drain cock.
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Posted By Jim Walker
Contact the manufacturer, they are quite knowledgable. Also they have a responsibility to help you under section 6 of HSWA.
Forget Alec's second piece of advice - unless you have a spare £25k to spend on the pressure vessels directive certification.
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Posted By Bill Elliott
Corrina - strikes me you have a problem here! My knowledge of autoclaves is limited but I am aware that Little Sisters are not designed to be lifted to be emptied. There is surely a safe drain down included in the manufacture - if there is not - you cannot make changes to the machine without involving both the manufacturer and the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (formerly Medical Devices Agency) who ought to be notified of this potential risk to personal safety. There should be a nominated MHRA Liaison officer attached to the NHS organisation you are dealing with, alternatively log on to the MHRA web site for further guidance. Regards
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Posted By Alec Wood
Thankyou Jim, I stand corrected
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Posted By Karen Todd
Corrina,
You can get hoists that have a barrel clamp so that you can lift and empty drums in a controlled manner.
Perhaps the manufacturer of these could design something along these lines for your autoclave?
Karen
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Posted By John Webster
There is now a strong drive for discontinuing local decontamination and sterilisation and processing all instruments through centralised, specialist sterile service units where much higher standards can be maintained.
Where local autoclaving needs to be retained, current guidelines now require the water to be changed on a daily basis. You should therefore be looking to replace old equipment with models which can be readily maintained to the required standards.
Meanwhile, in clinical areas so equiped, the piped vacuum can be utilised to remove the water via a suitably sized suction bottle. Otherwise you could use a small venturi suction "pump" which attaches to a convenient water tap and available for just a few pounds from any lab stockist.
Lifting and tipping is not an option.
Hope this helps
John
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Posted By Lance Morgan
I agree with John. You should look for a suitable alternative means of decontamination. What items are they using this for?
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Posted By Corrina Evans
Thanks to everyone for your advice. The autoclave is used to sterilise items that practice nurses are using within the surgery, during clinics and examinations. I shall be passing on your thoughts to the surgery involved as you have just confirmed my thoughts on the matter !!
Corrina Evans
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