What your service technician wishes you knew about your washer
Washer-disinfectors are not your typical household dishwasher. They’re dependable, high-performance machines designed to meet the demands of sterile processing. But, like any piece of machinery, they work best when used correctly and consistently maintained.
There are plenty of avoidable issues that can affect washer performance. Small oversights can lead to inconsistent results or unnecessary downtime. Even experienced users can run into problems when things get busy. This post highlights a few of the most common issues and offers some simple habits that help keep things running smoothly.
1. Be patient, you can’t rush clean.
Let automation do its job and double-check before starting a cycle. A few extra seconds up-front can save you a headache later.
This is especially true with automated systems. Forcing the process along or trying to speed it up can do more harm than good. Manually interfering with a cycle can knock the machine out of alignment, damage components, or cause a fault.
2. Preventative maintenance takes time, and that’s a good thing.
Allow your techs the time they need to inspect, clean, calibrate, and test. A properly maintained washer performs better, lasts longer, and gives you more reliable results.
It might feel inconvenient when a machine is taken offline for maintenance, but the downtime is there to prevent bigger disruptions in the future. Skipping or rushing through maintenance increases the risk of failure and makes it harder to catch problems before they become bigger issues.
3. Communicate with your technician.
Keeping an open line of communication helps your technician pinpoint issues. Being patient and clearly explaining what you’ve observed, especially over the phone, can go a long way in helping your technicians be prepared even before they arrive.
Your technician is not onsite just to fix things; they’re also a resource. If you’ve been noticing unusual alarms, inconsistent results, or anything out of the ordinary, bring it up. The sooner it’s addressed, the easier it is to fix.
4. Chemistry matters, and so does the way you replace it.
Always follow the correct process when changing detergent. Always try to minimize the introduction of air into the chemical dosing lines. If there’s a priming step, don’t skip it. A few extra seconds can prevent dosing problems and help avoid a service call.
One of the more common service issues we see is related to incorrect chemical replacement. When the detergent runs low, it’s easy to just swap the container and move on. But if air gets introduced into the line during the change, the washer might not dose properly or may throw alarms.
5. Overloading trays can block spray arms.
Load trays according to the manufacturer’s instructions, even when things are busy. A properly loaded washer gives you better, more consistent results.
Trying to squeeze in extra trays may seem like it helps keep things moving, but it often leads to poor washing results. When trays are overloaded or loaded improperly, they can block the spray arms or obstruct the instruments from getting proper water coverage.
6. Keep the strainers and spray arms clean.
Make daily inspection part of your routine. A quick check and cleaning of the strainers and nozzles can make a big difference in performance.
The internal strainer and spray arms do a lot of work, and like anything else, they need to be maintained. Debris can build up quickly, especially when washers run multiple cycles a day. A clogged nozzle or dirty filter can cause issues that show up such as failed cleaning tests, spotting, or performance alarms. In extreme cases this can even cause damage to large expensive components like pumps and motors.
7. Don’t slam the rack and always center it.
Always align the rack before starting the cycle. This is especially true when manually loading. A proper connection ensures full water flow. Misalignment is one of the most common and preventable causes of poor cleaning results.
It’s easy to get into a rhythm and start moving fast, especially during peak hours. But slamming the rack into the chamber or leaving it off center can cause problems. If the rack isn’t properly docked to the water connection, the entire load may process without flow to the instruments.
8. Always follow IFUs especially when running cleaning verification tests.
Always refer to the Instructions for Use (IFU) for any Process Challenge Device (PCD) you’re running. Cycle type, placement, temperature, dosing, and many other variables all matter when interpreting the results.
Process Challenge Devices are great tools for verifying cleaning performance, but they only work if they’re used correctly. Placing a PCD incorrectly or running it outside of its intended cycle parameters can give you a failed result that doesn’t reflect the true performance of the washer.
Final Thoughts
Washer disinfectors are built to be reliable, but they still need care and attention to perform as intended. Many of the most common issues can be prevented by following the IFU, keeping up with simple maintenance, and being mindful of how the equipment is loaded and used.
If something seems off, it probably is. Reporting early signs of trouble helps catch issues before they cause downtime. These small steps protect not just the machine, but the entire sterile processing workflow.