Oil-free compressed air produced by Dürr Technik dries endoscopes
Blowing away microorganisms
"Poor hygiene in doctors’ surgeries" – Numerous newspapers reported under this heading about an inspection carried out by the Hamburg health authorities in summer 2010. The random check uncovered deficiencies in nearly every third clinic and surgery. Especially medical instruments and surgical instruments were often not cleaned according to the rules. The consequences can be dramatic, as explained by the Robert-Koch-Institut (RKI) giving the example of incorrectly dried endoscopes: "Microorganisms multiply in the duct system of the units and are a source of infection for patients examined afterwards."
An efficient and professional solution for the drying of endoscopes is the Silent Air System (SAS-38) of Dürr Technik. The plug&play compressor unit frees all accessible ducts of the instruments from residual moisture within a few seconds. This allows doctors to follow a recommendation of the RKI, which explicitly specifies the use of oil-free compressed air for the re-preparation of endoscopes. Since 1999 the same recommendation has been issued by the Bundesärztekammer (German Medical Council). An optimum drying of endoscopes after their cleaning and disinfection is very important so as to avoid any formation of moisture-loving germ flora in the ducts.
The product of the compressor manufacturer is fitted with a sterile filter and a suitable air pistol as standard features. Additionally, various attachments / nozzles are available for different tasks. SAS is built into a mobile sound-reducing box and operates extremely silently (~ 47 dB). Due to the existing pressurized air tank the compressor does not restart permanently. Thereby it is guaranteed that the day-to-day activities of the surgery or clinic are not disturbed by the drying process. Owing to its compact design the unit can be installed without any problems in cabinets or as a freestanding unit, without taking up too much space.
The core of the unit is an oil-free compressor aggregate. The compressed air connection is positioned directly in the housing. A steel-covered hose connects the compressor and the control unit. The unit is put into operation in "Plug & Play" mode. The operation itself is simple and safe. The integrated pressure reducer has been factory-set to a constant pressure of one bar. This is necessary to ensure that no damage is done to the endoscopes as a result of the cleaning process.
Doctors who already work with the SAS judge their experience as positive. They praise especially the high quality standard of the product, which stands out clearly from conventional offerings. Dr. Rolf Achim Krüger, a gastroenterologist in Radebeul, for example explains: "The length of the hose is optimal". Thus even endoscopes that have to be dried and are still in the cleaning machine can be reached at a distance without any problems. Low volume, compact design, very good handling – my surgery staff as well are fully satisfied.“
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Blown away: The Silent Air System of Dürr Technik frees all accessible ducts in endoscopes from residual humidity within a few seconds. Thus, after being cleaned, the instruments are dried efficiently and correctly. Owing to its compact design, the unit fits well into any surgery cabinet.
Photo: Dürr Technik
Dürr Technik GmbH & Co. KG
Pleidelsheimer Str. 30
74321 Bietigheim-Bissingen
Germany
Phone: +49(0)71 42/90 22-0
Fax: +49(0)71 42/90 22-99
http://www.duerr-technik.eu
About Dürr Technik:
Dürr Technik belongs to the Dürr group with worldwide branch offices and partners. The group of companies has in total 1,100 employees. The head-quarters of Dürr Technik are located in Bietigheim-Bissingen. Besides Ger-many, Dürr Technik is also represented with its own subsidiaries in Great Britain, USA and China. For more than 35 years the company has been dealing in oil-free compressor and pump technology and offers a wide range of small compressors and vacuum pumps as well as customized solutions.
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