When managing human waste in healthcare environments, you need equipment you can trust. These machines must protect staff and patients from cross-infection, so there is no room for error. Dekomed, a leading supplier of washer disinfectors, consistently develops, researches, and designs machines built specifically for this task. The DEKO 190 series, including the DEKO 190ix, 190 GT, and 190 X2, provides a mechanical solution to empty, clean, and thermally disinfect reusable human waste containers.
These machines replace manual washing and slop sinks. Staff place soiled items directly into the chamber, close the door, and run the cycle. The machine handles the hazard. We will examine the specific features, capacities, and operating mechanics of the Dekomed bedpan washers to help you understand how they fit into your sluice room.
Dekomed Bedpan Washer Disinfectors Engineered for High-Pressure Cleaning
A washer-disinfector must physically remove heavy soiling before thermal disinfection can occur. Dekomed equips the DEKO 190 units with a high-powered water recirculation pump. This pump pushes water at a rate of 600 litres per minute. This high pressure guarantees the water contacts all surfaces, corners, and crevices of the loaded items.
The water delivery system uses a combination of three rotating spray jets and eight fixed spray jets. The innovative design of this system ensures consistent coverage regardless of the shape of the container. Dekomed uses a patented freshwater recirculation washing method. This process continuously flushes the chamber with clean water rather than reusing dirty water. In a real-world scenario, if a patient uses a commode pot with heavily dried matter, the 600 litres per minute water pressure physically strips the waste away.
Daily Capacity and Space Requirements
Sluice rooms often lack space. Dekomed designed the DEKO 190 to occupy a small footprint. The unit requires just 600mm in width and 630mm in depth. Despite the compact exterior, the internal wash chamber offers a 72-litre gross volume.
This capacity translates to practical time savings for your nursing staff. In a single cycle, you can process two bedpans with their lids and four urine bottles simultaneously. The machine includes an integrated drop-down wire shelf. You can use this shelf to process up to four patient hand wash basins or a mop bucket. You can also load kidney dishes, suction bottles, measuring jugs, and even staff shoes.
If your ward experiences a sudden spike in patient admissions, you need equipment that keeps up. Processing mixed loads in one go prevents backlogs of contaminated items from piling up in the utility room. The machine adapts to your specific daily inventory.
Strict Infection Control Standards Ensuring Ultimate Thermal Disinfection
Your infection control protocols rely on proven, measurable results. The DEKO 190 bedpan washers are tested and certified to meet the European standards for washer-disinfectors: ISO 15883-1 and ISO 15883-3. Part 3 specifically governs machines employing thermal disinfection for human waste containers.
The machine destroys dangerous pathogens through heat. The integrated boiler generates steam disinfection, which is then passed through the water tank, the internal pipework, and the wash chamber. This added benefit of this process is that it ensures the machine disinfects itself along with the loaded items. Independent studies confirm the DEKO 190 achieves full removal of Clostridioides difficile. When your facility faces a severe outbreak of a high-risk pathogen, you can trust the thermal cycle to break the chain of infection. You can adjust the A0 value up to 13,000 depending on your specific protocol requirements.
Control Interfaces and User Safety
Dekomed integrates a Programmable Logic Controller into these machines. The interface on models like the DEKO 190 GT features a high-resolution display. Staff see the specific cycle, current phase, internal chamber temperature, and remaining cycle time in clear text.
To prevent unauthorised changes to your validated cycles, the machine uses a three-tier access code system. This means that only authorised staff or technicians have the capacity to run diagnostics or edit parameters.
Another key component of the design is that once the wash has started, the door remains securely locked throughout both the washing and, just as crucially, the disinfection cycle. In fact, the door will not open until the internal temperature returns to a safe level. The final part of the process is designed to prevent excess moisture from venting into your sluice room. To achieve this, the built-in condenser cools the steam back into a liquid before the door unlocks. There is also an option of upgrading the machine with an automatic non-touch door. An optical sensor detects a hand wave, opening the door automatically. This prevents staff from touching the handle with contaminated gloves.
Lifespan and Facility Maintenance
Hospital equipment requires a significant capital investment. Dekomed builds the DEKO 190 from polished Grade 304 stainless steel. The machines average a 16-year life cycle, with many units lasting over 20 years in heavy use.
These bedpan washers present a reliable alternative to macerators. Macerators chop single-use pulp products and flush them into the drainage system. Whilst there is a time and a place for macerators, one of the issues they can cause is blockages, which then require constant ordering of disposable inventory. A washer-disinfector processes durable, reusable plastic or steel items. This reduces your ongoing consumable costs and lessens your environmental waste.
Routine maintenance is straightforward. Technicians can access the internal components easily from the front panel. The software includes an automatic cycle counter and provides digital traceability for compliance audits. When you choose a Dekomed machine, you integrate a durable, compliant, and highly functional piece of equipment into your facility infrastructure.
If you are a facilities manager charged with purchasing a new bedpan washer, then the customer service team at Dekomed have all the answers and guidance that you need. Please feel free to contact them with any queries you may have, as they will be only too happy to assist. They can be contacted on 0161 483 7333