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Practice · Experience · Expertise
Typically Miele
Manual v. machine
Reprocessing
Many laboratories have already seen the
benefits of the machine-based reprocessing
of glassware. Particularly when workloads
are heavy, automatic reprocessing cuts
down on work, reduces staffing needs and
slashes costs.
One reason is to avoid the risk of breakage
and the potential hazards to laboratory staff
that come with handling glassware. Broken
glass from manual cleaning, for instance,
can cause serious injuries. Infectious and
toxic contaminants pose a serious health
risk. Many detergents used in cleaning are
highly caustic.
Automatic, machine-based processes are
also more easily standardised, validated
and documented. And reprocessing in an
automatic machine-based system offer
maximum protections to personnel.
3. Contamination
Knowledge of physical and chemical
attributes of the types of contamination
the machine will need to deal with are
of particular importance in choosing the
cleaning process and type of cleaning agent
to use.
4. Disinfection
For certain applications laboratory
equipment has to be disinfected to contain
the spread of bacteria.
5. Analytical methods
Methods of analysis used can be affected
by particular contaminants on laboratory
glassware. A knowledge of these factors is
helpful in selecting the right detergents.
6. Purity for analytical experiments
Each laboratory has its own definition of
what is 'analytically clean' depending on the
specification, nature and repeatability of the
analysis methods used. Built-in conductivity
monitoring represents the ideal way to
analyse glassware purity levels,
Challenge
The cleaning process must ensure that
equipment, when used again, is not affected
by its previous use. Requirements vary
widely from one laboratory to the next. The
following aspects must be clearly defined:
1. Application
Applications subdivide into general
areas (organic, inorganic or physical
chemistry, biology, microbiology, hospital,
pharmaceutical, food industry or cosmetic
industry laboratories, etc.) or according to
procedures (preparatory work, analysis,
sampling). The type of application will also
be an important factor in determining the
type of machine and accessories as well as
the cleaning process and cleaning agents
required.
2. Laboratory equipment
Laboratory equipment needs to be
classified according to the type, size and
quantity of items requiring reprocessing.
This information enables Miele to provide
a detailed quotation for the right system to
meet individual requirements.
Illustration shows:
PG 8535 lab washer
with E 414 injector unit