Cleaner, safer, more efficient: Innovative instrument reprocessing

At Medica 2014, Miele Professional is set to underline its expertise in all fields relating to the reprocessing of medical products under the 'System4Med 2015: Cleaner, safer, more efficient' trade show motto (Hall 12, Stand E 17). An entire new generation of undercounter washer-disinfectors is designed to set new standards in the decentral reprocessing of instruments. New large-chamber decontamination units (container and trolley washers) now also cater for the reprocessing of surgical instruments. With the innovative 'Trophon EPR System', clients are now also able to reprocess ultrasound probes in a standardised and validatable process in full compliance with KRINKO requirements. Furthermore, the latest instruments used in robotic-assisted surgery can be safely reprocessed in large-chamber washer-disinfectors from Miele Professional.

The most salient feature on the new undercounter series is a new, high-performance spray system which allows a larger quantity of medical products to be thoroughly and safely reprocessed in a shorter space of time, using fewer resources. The key to these improvements is a patented and variable-speed circulation pump which adjusts water pressure to requirements in the various programme phases. This saves water and also reduces energy consumption by up to 20%. At the same time, reprocessing capacity gains of up to 50% have been achieved as the newly designed chamber and the innovative load carriers offer more space for medical products.

Top-class cleaning results are guaranteed by baskets and inserts with a new docking technology and self-sealing valves as well as safety sensors which monitor spray arm speed and spray pressure during reprocessing. Superior convenience and ergonomics is offered by functions such as AutoClose (automatic closing of door once it has been gently leaned against the door frame) and a control panel which doubles up as door handle. The innovative touch-on-steel interface facilitates extremely simple programme selection and exceptionally simple cleaning.

Systems for instruments used in robotic-assisted surgery and ultra-sound probes

For two years now, Intuitive Surgical Inc. (California, USA), world leader in robotic-assisted surgery, has been recommending Miele Professional's RobotVario system for cleaning and disinfecting its EndoWrist instruments. This recommendation now also applies to Miele's new 'ROBOTVARIO X-tra' programme designed for the latest instruments from the ‘da Vinci Xi-series’ but which can also reprocess the previous instrument ranges both safely and economically. The Miele system consists of a modular load carrier compatible with a Miele PG 8527/28 large-chamber washer-disinfector, a new and shorter reprocessing cycle as well as a specially formulated detergent. The performance of this system has been endorsed by clinical tests and laboratory trials.
'Trophon EPR' is an innovative reprocessing solution from Miele which addresses the specific needs of ultra-sound probes which can now be reprocessed quickly, safely and in a validated system. The process lasts only 7 minutes and is therefore twice as fast as manual reprocessing in an immersion bath. Following a successful launch on the German home market, Miele Professional is currently investigating the possibility of launching the system in further European countries.

Greater efficiency with large-chamber decontamination units

Large-chamber decontamination units from Miele Professional have been used successfully by hospitals for many years to clean such bulky loads as containers and trolleys. Now, a new circulation system allows CSSDs to efficiently and rapidly wash and disinfect standard surgical instruments such as scissors and forceps in the same machines - in full compliance with DIN EN ISO 15883. Depending on the model, these machines are able to reprocess trolleys containing 20 or 40 mesh instrument trays per cycle. The new Combi Eco System also offers the option of significantly cutting the use of fully demineralised water and heating energy in CSSDs: Key to this is a manifold which collects demineralised water from several large-chamber washer-disinfectors and feeding it into a buffer tank on the container and trolley washers for use in interim and final rinses. As this water is pre-heated, the time needed to wash bulky loads is also curtailed.

Extensive range of services from Miele Professional

Alongside innovative products, Miele will also be presenting a wide range of services at Medica. The installation or modernisation of a CSSD always starts with good advice. Just what this means in practice can be experienced by clients live at the trade show: Modern software systems help define the instruments which need cleaning on a daily basis during the early stages of planning. From this information, the type and number of machines can be derived. And machine configurations can be demonstrated to clients before construction commences, thanks to virtual 3D rendering – thereby ensuring compliance with ergonomic, regulatory and economic requirements. If planning meets the client's approval, the project then progresses to the implementation stage during which it is in the safe hands of highly competent project managers. Experienced service technicians later assume responsibility for installation, commissioning, validation and after-sales service.

As competence and expertise in the field of instrument reprocessing is in big demand the world over, Miele's hospital business division has experienced exceptional growth: In more than 30 European countries, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australia, many large hospitals have been fitted with medical technology from Miele Professional. These systems for cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation ensure the high-level reprocessing of medical devices, making a safe and economical contribution to the well-being of patients.

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Company profile: Miele is the world's leading manufacturer of premium domestic appliances including cooking, baking and steam-cooking appliances, refrigeration products, coffee makers, dishwashers and laundry and floor care products. This line-up is augmented by dishwashers, washer-extractors and tumble dryers for commercial use as well as washer-disinfectors and sterilisers for use in medical and laboratory applications (Miele Professional). The Miele company, founded in 1899, has 8 production plants in Germany as well as one plant each in Austria, the Czech Republic, China and Romania. 2013/14 turnover amounted to approx. EUR 3.22 bn with sales outside Germany accounting for around 70%. Miele is represented with its own sales subsidiaries and via importers in almost 100 countries. The Miele company, now in the fourth generation of family ownership, employs a workforce of around 17,660, 10,411 thereof in Germany. The company headquarters are located in Gütersloh/Westphalia, Germany.